So...You've caught the "Ghost Hunting" bug and your wanting to go out and start taking pictures. There are several different types of equipment & techniques that have brought back positive results. Here are some tips that should get you going in the right direction
Any camera can pick up paranormal activity from a $5.00 disposable camera(That is the type of camera that got the picture of the crew of the U.S.S. Hunley when they raised it from Charleston Harbour) to $500.00 digital cameras. It really just depends on how much you want to spend. 35mm film cameras are good because any image leaves an imprint on the negative that can help prove or disprove the phenomena. Digital cameras are good because you can see the image immediately to see if you caught anything. They can also be helpful when you do catch something on the camera, you can direct other people in your group where to direct their efforts. The one drawback is there are no negatives. Digital pictures can also be manipulated by a computer so sometimes skeptics don't give them as much credence as film pictures
When you go out to take your pictures, take multiple pictures of regular everday things in all kinds of conditions(Darkness, Rain, Snow, Fog, Heat). This is to make you very familiar with your camera's characteristics so you won't be likely to be fooled by explainable phenomena.
Before you start taking pictures, it is a good idea to take a flashlight and shine it all over the area you are going to photograph. This is helpful because it will show the dust and other particles in the air. Most orb pictures are dust particles illuminated by the flash of a camera.
After you are used to your camera, try going to a graveyard, reported haunted location or really any historical location. Start taking multiple pictures of various locations, take them in brightly lit places as well as shady or dark places. Then(especially in a graveyard) try this experiment. Introduce yourself, explain what you are doing there and you mean no disrespect to the spirits. Explain that you are there to get scientific proof of their existance and you would greatly appreciate it if they could make their presence known. Explain what the camera is and does and that it will not "hurt" the spirit. It is believed that some spirits do not understand that they are dead and they are very confused and frightened. Such conversations have been very successful by other professional investigators.
After you get your pictures back, it is a good idea to buy some tracing paper and lightly draw in pencil a grid pattern. Then place the paper over the picture and make notes of what sections of the photograph have unusual features. This is helpful to analize the entire photograph. Look at every part of the photograph and then let a friend look at it to get another perspective
Camcorders are good tools for looking for anomolous activity. There are many on the market and they all have their advantages & disadvantages. Analog camcorders are good because analog film is less likely to be tampered with. Digital is good because you can get clearer images. If you have around $400.00 to spend, I recommend a Sony Handicam HC20, HC30, Or HC40. These are as small as a digital camera and they have expansion slots to add infrared lights. With this light, you can see almost as brightly as a lighted room(Although it is Black & White). You can also burn the footage onto DVD with the S-video/audio out feature(If you have a Home DVD burner) Taking video with a camcorder takes the same precautions as with taking pictures with a regular camera, practicing & shining a flashlight looking for dust particles. Using a tripod helps when you are monitoring one room while if you are moving alot, a tripod may not be conveniient. When you take your video, avoid zooming in and out alot. Sometimes the camera makes strange shapes(In darkness) when it tries to reacquire the object in the frame. This affect can look like anomalous activity. Try to take steady images giving audio marker points for reference later. Also make notes of any observations you may encounter, for instance you would want to make a notation of a street light that comes on every 15 minutes outside that casts an eeire glow inside the residence.
We hope these tips help you find some interesting results
