"Orbs" in photographs

1. 0

   crmhaskeposted 14 years ago

   I'm home for a month to save money before I go back to school because I'm dirt broke and since I've been here for a week I've gotten into several science vs. supernatural debates with my Dad.
   
   He is trying to convince me that this "orb" on a photograph is a ghost, and I'm trying to convince him it's the reflection of the camera's flash on the lens as it reflected off of something in the background (commonly dust particles).  This is the same person I debated the sixth sense with - he was adamant it was the ability to see ghosts, and I was adamant it is our sense of balance (I made a joke about having a 7th sense of being able to tell when people are looking at me, and it went right over his head)).
   
   Anyways, I was just curious what people think about those "photo orbs."  I think it's just light reflecting on the lens.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Mothingsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I've often wondered about those myself. The scientist in me will tend to agree with your explanation of this phenomena. Yet, the mystic in me would rather find a more exotic explanation. Ghosts...ahhh more like benevolent energies released from the dust particles by the flash of the camera. I will say, that I have gotten those orbs on pictures taken without the use of a flash. Interesting topic though.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That's a very interesting perspective!

         replyreport
      2. 81

         pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Kirlian Photography captures biomagnetic energy fields of different living things, and I am not sure normal cameras do but they could. Orbs could be energies that we are not yet able to discern with the naked eye.
         
         
         In some eastern philosophies it is said that when we die our yin energy is said to still exist when our physical shell dies. The yang energy was used by the physical.
         
         So the orbs could be wandering yin energy that has little use in the etheric world without a shell. Transformation into another form of energy might take a bit longer for whatever reason. Sooner or later though it will transform to whatever. Its the nature of energy under different conditions.

         replyreport
         1. 58

            A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Did you learn that at the school of life? Notice that Kirlian photography is explained using lessons learned from a school. LOL!

            replyreport
            1. 81

               pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Your point being?

               replyreport
               1. 58

                  A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  That you have no idea what you're talking about as you go on talking gobbledegook about wandering orbs.

                  replyreport
                  1. 81

                     pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Haha you are just too funny!
                     
                     Tell all since you seem to know what I am talking about?

                     replyreport
   2. 0

      DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      no clue about "photo orbs", but I've had my kid's friends sleep over, they went home and told thier mom about the orbs they played with in the early morning at my house.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Really?  That's kinda interesting.  I've had some weird experiences as a kid with "floating orbs" when I had my bedroom in the basement, but I've always chalked it up to physiological hallucinations.  Who really knows though right.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            oh ha ha, just saw this, see my later on in time response.

            replyreport
   3. 79

      psycheskinnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      IMHO if it looks lie a lens flare, it's a lens flare.  I mean something can look like a cat but actually be an alien, but it isn't likely.

      replyreport
   4. 60

      Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Here's an explanation, you could easily make your own orbs and fool the gullible:
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb_%28optics%29

      replyreport
      1. 72

         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Wiki covers it for me.

         replyreport
2. 61

   ediggityposted 14 years ago

   Me too, reflection of light.  Out of curiosity, what would he say about a photo of someone with red eyes?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      He fully accepts them as light refracting off the surface of the eye.  I don't want to argue with him about it because he can't have a debate without feeling like his beliefs are being judged or threatened.  He gets upset and starts yelling.
      
      I'm really not trying to tell him he's wrong, just that I believe differently.  Believe and know are two very different verbs, and I definitely believe more than I know.

      replyreport
      1. 61

         ediggityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You and I both.

         replyreport
3. 69

   alternate poetposted 14 years ago

   maybe your Dad isn't young enough to know everything ?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Nope, definitely not
      
      I sometimes wish I could believe in the supernatural, would make life seem more exciting.

      replyreport
      1. 69

         alternate poetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         There is a supernatural - we don't know nearly as much as we think we do.  I think ghosts pretty much vanished when flickery candles and gas lighting went, but there are loads of other unexplained stuff to play with yet.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I don't believe in an eternal soul so it would be contradictory to my present belief system to accept the existence of ghosts.  I don't deny the possibility, but at this present moment in time it isn't a part of my belief system.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               things can exist beyond "eternal souls" and not believing doesnt make them stop existing.
               
               like....maybe a "ghost" isnt a soul. Its something that does exist, but we havent quite figuerd it out yet.

               replyreport
            2. 69

               alternate poetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Supernatural can't be part of your belief system because it is unknown    I mean that everything we don't know is super (beyond) natural.  To NOT believe that there are things that we don't know is clearly ridiculous, but to NOT acknowledge that we don't know is how religions get off.

               replyreport
               1. 0

                  crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I agree.
                  
                  I believe in the possibility, I just haven't encountered anything that has given me cause to accommodate that belief to be more than a possibility.

                  replyreport
                  1. 69

                     alternate poetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     nor have I - but if you encounter it and find out what it is it is not supernatural any more - just natural ??   I like to leave it out there unknown, it is more fun walking home in the dark with more gullible people

                     replyreport
                     1. 0

                        crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Haha, essentially
                        
                        And yes, making company with people who are afraid of the dark, in the dark, is definitely a lot more fun

                        replyreport
                  2. 0

                     DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     ohhhh.....just wait 'till you do!!!!    call me crazy..but Ive seen stuff that prove to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is more out there then "us". gods, demons, "drugs", ghosts, fairys, I dont know....there are things that happen that can not be fully explained. Other than "your crazy".
                     
                     the fact your posting this thread, I bet you've seen stuff..but "explained" it away...

                     replyreport
                     1. 0

                        crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        lol "drugs"
                        
                        I've seen some pretty interesting things on shrooms
                        
                        And your right, I am pretty proficient at "explaining things away" - I still from time to time entertain the possibility.
                        
                        I meditate on a regular basis, and I've had some interesting mental experiences that I've also "explained away" physiologically.

                        replyreport
                        1. 0

                           DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           hahahahahahahahaaa. ok. you win.    me too.

                           replyreport
                           1. 0

                              DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              wait...I saw stuff way after the shrooms?

                              replyreport
                              1. 0

                                 crmhaskeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                 Personally way after the shrooms I was sleeping after spending all night talking to Yoshi from Super Mario World

                                 replyreport
                                 1. 0

                                    DoorMattnomoreposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                    I love yoshi. He's cool. Gnomes stole my fimo lighter.... 

                                    replyreport
4. 61

   Sparhawkeposted 14 years ago

   I have seen a lot of these orb photographs myself and tend to give them the benefit of the doubt, a lot of the time there is nothing to disturb the dust and they show up...much better than these are those photographs that show up various light anomalies that cannot be explained away in this manner because they are just too big.

   replyreport
5. 65

   Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

   Sometimes, I believe the orbs in photos are just dust, other times, I am pretty sure they are something else. 
   
   For years, one of my sons always had a bright white 'flash' just off the left side of his head in photos, even when the sun was from the other direction or when he was inside.  Several times, when others were taking pictures of kids for an event, they had much trouble getting his to turn out.  All of his were much too light, as though there were a bright flash in front of him, is what teachers told me.

   replyreport
6. 77

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   I had an interesting experience yesterday. 
   
   I had never before in my long life heard that those little circular lens flares were considered to be "ghosts" until I read through some of the Hubs here in HP (a few weeks ago), and followed links to sites that promised "real pictures of ghosts."  The orbs that I saw were not something I had ever thought of as something supernatural, but it was interesting to hear/read that other people think they are.
   
   So yesterday I completed and published two Hubs that told some little "ghost stories" I know - mild stuff, actually pretty humorous overall, but true.  I thought it would be nice to accompany them with pictures. For one of the Hubs, I just used some pics from Microsoft.  For the other one, I used pictures that I myself had taken, including two that were taken in the church where the story about me took place.
   
   In one of those two pictures, guess what I saw? Numerous orbs, all over the place!  I took the picture about five-six years ago, and I hadn't looked at it for more than ten seconds since that time, so I didn't know about the orbs until I saw the picture again on the Edit page of my Hub.
   
   I still believe that the circles are lens flares, but I admit it was a bit spooky - and fun, too - to see them associated with a Hub that told a ghost story.       

   replyreport
7. 74

   AEvansposted 14 years ago

   I believe it is a "ghost" it isn't the flash from a camera, a flash would be brighter and those little orbs have been proving to be something other then a flash. I agree with your dad
   
   I have written about my own ghost experience on HP and it is one that I will never forget it and I now have children of my own.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I provided an explanation in the link above, did you not read it? The flashes from the camera do not necessarily have to be bright.

      replyreport
8. 0

   klarawieckposted 13 years ago

   
   
   
   
   
   
   I'm sorry, but I'm not buying that whole dust or insect thing. I've taken plenty of pictures and you can tell that these orbs have a distinct size and color, and each orb is floating at a different distance from the camera. These were recently taken in Cassadaga, Florida, which is a town of psychics.

   replyreport
9. 54

   kmackey32posted 13 years ago

   

   replyreport
   1. 54

      kmackey32posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That is me laying on the couch. What does it look like to you above me?

      replyreport
      1. 0

         klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It looks like a heart with four legs!

         replyreport
      2. 0

         Emile Rposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I may have this wrong, I'm one of those that can't find a baby on an ultrasound; but is that a hand?

         replyreport
10. 89

    melporposted 13 years ago

    The orbs in photographs are just dust particles moving around in the air in front of the camera's len. It is just the light reflecting off the dust particles when someone take pictures in a dark room. This have been explained years ago and they are not ghost as some people believe them to be.

    replyreport
    1. 58

       A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Here you are, pennyofheaven.

       replyreport
       1. 81

          pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          And dust particles to you are what? Energy or not energy?

          replyreport
          1. 58

             A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Dust particles, of course.

             replyreport
11. 0

    klarawieckposted 13 years ago

    You know? There are orbs and then there are ORBS! Okay? I visited Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp (which is supposed to be standing on a vortex)and I took some night photos and there were a lot of orbs. I have done the same exact thing here in Miami, in my backyard which is pitch black, the Everglades, etc. and I don't get the same type of orbs or as many. Now we are in South Florida, and I know there are more bugs and dust in the Everglades than in Cassadaga. So, if I used the same camera and the same setting, what's the explanation?

    replyreport
    1. 89

       melporposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Klarawieck, the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is a probably a dusty, dry environment. Correct me if I am wrong. The Everglades in Florida is a moist environment but you can get a similar effect out there also if the flying bugs are near your camera lens when you take flash photo. The orbs people see in pictures are light bouncing off of dust particles that are out of focus in your pictures. The dust particles are not moving as fast as the flying bugs in your night photos that is the other reason you do not see these in your photo in places like the Everglades.

       replyreport
       1. 0

          klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          The Cassadaga hotel was a bit dusty but I didn't get any orbs in those pictures. Some of the orbs showed up in pictures that were taken during the day and without the use of flash. Now isn't that strange?

          replyreport
          1. 89

             melporposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Klarawieck, it does not happen all the time when you take pictures in the dark. The conditions must be right such as the right lens, direction of lighting, field of depth setting on the camera, position of camera with respective to the motion of the dust movement , etc. These pictures are taken by chance but you can take them anytime if you know how to create the proper conditions to make it happen.

             replyreport
             1. 0

                klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Oh! Melpor!!! THat's so complicated!!! Can't we just agree that there is a friggin' ghost standing in front of the lense?!

                replyreport
    2. 58

       A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe not sitting on a vortex as much as sitting on a gold mine, unless the vortex is aimed directly at your wallet.
       
       "Orb Photography Tour
       A walking tour of Cassadaga to explore energy spots. Take your own photo or see the pictures taken by your guide. Two hour tour. Adults $25, Children 7 to 12 $12, Children 6 and under Free. Camp closes at 10pm."
       
       http://www.cassadaga.org/

       replyreport
       1. 0

          klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Yeah, well... I didn't take the Orb Tour. I knew better than that! Most of my pictures had really cool orbs in them.
          I wonder if anyone has ever tried to do an experiment to see if orbs might still show up in a dust-free enclosed area that claims to have spirit activity and where orbs would normally be seen. That might be something worth trying. But then again, skeptics will always be skeptics and believers will always believe.

          replyreport
          1. 58

             A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             And, cons will always be cons selling gobbledegook to the gullible.

             replyreport
12. 57

    lovelypaperposted 13 years ago

    I believe that angels and demons are real. The spiritual world sometimes becomes visible to us and I've seen a red orb floating around our house before. We have had demonic spirits in our house before. As for ghosts, I believe they are a trick of Satan that he would like you to believe they are a dead loved one but I believe when you die, your spirit goes one place or another and does not linger on the earth. I got way off the subject, but from what I've been told and witnessed for myself, the white orbs are angels and the red orbs are demonic spirits.

    replyreport
13. 78

    LuisEGonzalezposted 13 years ago

    OK, I'm am going to throw my two cents worth into the fray, I only wish I would have heard of this 14 months ago instead of now, but I wasn't on HP back them...my loss I guess. As far as "orbs" found on photographs 90% of the time they are caused by dust particles, the rarer ones are usually due to light bounce back, stray light entering the camera housing, out of date film, incorrect processing, stray light from other sources independent of the subject and the photo taker. A good example would be to photograph a subject while someone else aims a reflection from a wrist watch face, especially gold tone ones, into the general area of the subject. Most of the time this will show as an "orb".
    As far as the other "orbs" I think I will leave that to the experts...

    replyreport
14. 74

    IntimatEvolutionposted 13 years ago

    Can supernatural anomalies really be seen in images?  You see it all the time in tv shows.  I am just curious how it happens.  I don't necessarily think it is possible, but I am a little curious about how all that paranormal tracking technology is suppose to work.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       with all the technology and programs available at hand, it's hard to know if the videos they show on TV are the real deal or not. I believe in the spirit world and have seen apparitions form before my eyes, but I've never caught one on tape. Orbs, yes... Could they be dust particles? Sure. Are they always dust particles? Hmmm... I think not.

       replyreport