Taking photos

When taking photographs, you must follow certain rules which will help minimize errors.

-No smoking tobacco products during an investigation. This is important to prevent smoke from being “captured” as ectoplasm.

-Do not take photographs during adverse weather conditions. Rain, fog, snow and wind can cause inaccurate image recording.

-Do not take photos from moving vehicles on dusty roads. Dust and vehicle speed can adversely affect image quality.

-Do not take photos while walking on dusty roads. Once again, dust can effect image quality and the dust can be mistaken for orbs.

-Remove all dust, spots, fingerprints from camera lens. Shooting photos through a dirty lens can ruin your images and record false images.

-Remove or wear the camera strap so it does not hang loose. Some vortex images have been attributed to camera straps. Although it’s hard to do, being aware of your strap’s location will insure that it wont show up in your pictures.

-Avoid shooting into the sun to eliminate lens flare. This is VERY imporant. There is at last one website that has posted obvious lens flare and stated that it is a giant orb. This really impacts their credibilty.

-Avoid shooting with flash at reflective or shiny surfaces. This can also cause lens flare by allowing artificial light to enter the lens and ruining your images.

-Keep fingers and long hair away from the lens of the camera. This is to avoid photgraphing your ghostly body images.

-Compare your prints with negatives for confirmation. This will help in determining if the image recorded isn’t from mishandling by the film processor.

-Your camera’s flash is only good for 9-12 feet from camera so focus on that range. This will only apply to manually focused cameras. Most new 35mm cameras have autofocus and this will not work at night. Set your camera to manual focus and adjust the distance to around 10 feet.

Please remember and follow these rules when conducting your investigations.

- Always ask the ghosts/spirits for permission before taking any photos, video, or recordings.

- Never trespass on private property. Always get permission first.

- Be respectful of the spirits,ghosts,property and other investigators.

-You will not discuss any investigation location nor divulge any business or personal name with anyone outside of CKPRS We must respect peoples privacy.

- You will not invite friends, aquaintances or family members to join in any investigation that attending Society members have not met or approved.

- Never go alone. This is for several reasons, safety aside. It’s always nice to have someone else to collaborate your findings.

- Keep your senses clear by avoiding alcohol and smoking until after your investigation and you have left the area. This will also promote professionalism.

- Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. This is common sense.

- Do your research before you go. Having the extra knowledge will aid in your investigation. Go to the local library, ask the neighbors around the location. They can be a wealth of knowledge and may have experienced something also.

- Arrive with an open mind and a bit of skepticism. This will help you maintain your objectivity.

- Be careful of false readings. Make sure you know what your equipment is telling you and that you have ruled out natural causes. Don’t assume that any reading you get, is a ghost.

- Proper use of your camera. See above.

- Results may not be positive after you complete your investigation. This does not mean the location is not haunted. If you have tracked down any natural sources for the reported phenomena and ruled them out, then perhaps the ghost was not active during your visit. Try and stay in contact with the person who had the experiences. Many times they will call you back to report more activity.

- Always document all of your investigations, natural occurrences or otherwise. This is valuable information to refer back to, if needed.

- No ouija boards, witchcraft, or spells will not be used during an investigation.

Please follow these rules when recording E.V.Ps

- Only use new name brand tapes, not department store specials. The better tapes will increase the clarity of the voice you capture and is worth the difference in cost. A tape labeled "normal" from a company such as TDK or Maxell are affordable and fine for use with EVP. Remember, it's not professional to use a previously recorded tape for something as important as this.

- If possible, use an EXTERNAL microphone. This will drastically cut down on the motor noises and internal sounds from the recording device. Extend the MIC away from the unit when recording.

- If you have to talk on an investigation, do it in a normal voice. Whispering can sound like a ghost voice when playing back the tape.

- Always maintain a positive attitude and expect to get results.

- As you are recording, be sure to make note of any sounds or noises so as to not confuse it with something paranormal during playback.

- If you're recording unit has a sensitivity level, adjust it to the highest level possible. A ghost voice is usually very faint and anything we can do will help.

* Both digital and regular tape recorders seem to work fine. However, some say that reel to reel and full size cassette players work the best. That could very well be true, especially when using an external MIC, but I haven't noticed a distinct difference.

- At the beginning of your recording session state your location, the time, and the weather conditions. This can be very helpful later on.

- Ask the spirits to talk loudly and even shout if possible. We need that voice as loud and clear as possible.

- On playback do not confuse background noise and garble as a ghost voice! If it sounds like it could be background noise, then it most likely is just that.