Things To Remeber While Ghost Hunting: Rules.

This is a list of rules/hints that you need to know when ghost hunting. Read through these and memorize them. If you have to write them down, like I did. :p

1. Conduct yourself professionaly
2. Never threaten unseen entities
3. Do NOT leave trash and such at a investigation sight
4. Keep a phone or pager, even a walkie talkie, handy during investgations
5. Do not rough house
6. Do not smoke, or drink during investagtions
7. Get permission to investagate
8. Do not go where you are unwanted
9. Do not split up during an ivestagation (you can if there are more than 3 or 4 of you.)
10. Be careful when splitting up. Make sure to have a phone or two per group
11. If you are on lockdown (like is ghost adventures) then make sure some one on the out side has a car, phone, and can watch everyone at the time
12. Put more than one camera (if using them) in an area. make sure people on the outside can see whats going on
13. NEVER LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND.
That's about all the things you need to remember. Also, you need to know you equitment. How to use it and all.

(Quikie about me, my blogs and my posts.) No posts tomorrow... maybe not, at least

I know that I've been posting alot lately. Its because I might not get a chance to post tomorrow. Plus there are alot of things I want to get up, so I can get to my other blogs. I have alot of ghost hunting sites saved on my favorites, and I'll give anyone who wants a link to them one if they comment. Most of the stuff I put up is from one of those websites. Reading my blog is much easier, then, say, going to Google, Bing, Yahoo, YouTube, etc, and I go into detail. On search engines, they give you alot of websites that are crap, but here you know that you may be reading the truth. Most of the stories I tell you all about my ghostly expernces (sp?) really happened to me. If you have an Yourghoststories.com account, then look me, my sister, and my friend up. (we share an account) the name is either Deadgirl or Livingdeadgirl. The names we use on there are NOT our real names. We used those names because we didn't want to put our real names on there. If you like my blog, then follow me on twitter at DevanGrimes!!!

Ghost hunting 101: Basics.

Know Your Camera !!!

While no two camera's are exactly alike, we strongly encourage you to "Know Your Camera." What we mean by this is that we WANT you to intentionally take pictures of natural things like when it's raining, take a picture of the rain. When there's fog, take a picture. Find a dusty road and kick up a cloud of dust. Slap your bed covers or pillow in the dark and photograph the dust/particles floating. Take your camera strap and intentionally put it over your lens and take a picture. Have a friend blow cigarette smoke in front of the camera. On a cold day, blow warm air in front of you and photograph it. WHY? Because what you're doing is learning what images your camera captures, and the type of clarity your getting. You'll be able to study these pictures in detail, so when you do get something paranormal, you will know the difference of what ______ looks like vs. your image you captured. Also, if you show someone skeptical, and they it's dust, or water on the lens, you can turn around and say, nope, this is what ______ is. Being a Paranormal Investigator is difficult as it is, and doing battle with a skeptic is easier if you're one step ahead of the game.

Time of day

Ghosts can be hunted during the day or night. It's easier to pick them up on camera if shot at night because their reflection is brighter than the background (dark). Plus, during the day, you have the possibility of "lens flair" happening. Lens flare happens when the sun and the camera lens is at the right angle to produce a colorful "orb" or "orbs". All ghost hunters want to catch ghosts on camera or film, but when we eliminate all "natural" events that could have made that ghost picture, what we're left with is paranormal... Something that shouldn't be there, but is. When all other factors have been ruled out, we believe this maybe ghosts.

 Get Permission!

Anyone can get information on a haunted location and then run to it in the name of Ghost Hunting, but that's not how it's done in real life. A lot of haunted locations are businesses, people's homes, city or private property. You can't just go in waving instruments and claim you're looking for ghosts. First, and foremost, You have to ask permission. Some places don't want advertised that they may have ghosts. Not everyone feels the same way you do about ghosts. Some people believe in them, so don't, and some out right fear them. You must have respect for people's feelings and beliefs, even if they are contrary to yours, and even if they deny access to you. Don't take it personally, as in most cases, the timing may not be right for you. The best thing to do is be polite, ask nicely, and if no, be graceful about it. They will remember how you act, and maybe in the future, might reconsider. NEVER go somewhere or conduct a ghost hunt without permission from the people responsible for that property. You are then trespassing and are breaking the law. If we find out any of our members were caught, they will be banned from this group immediately. 

Safety in Numbers

  It's always a good idea to go ghost hunting with a friend or two, but never alone. Because most investigations are done at night, there could be obstacles on the ground that may cause injury or even death. When traveling together, always have at least two fully charged walkie talkies so if the group gets split up, communication will still be open. Obviously don't wonder to far that they render the equipment useless. Most walkie talkies have an average range of one mile, up to two at the most. In the event that something happens, at least one person can then go for help. 

No Horse playing Around!

  As funny as it would be to see the expression on your friends face when you pop out from a hiding spot, DON'T DO IT. Funny or not, someone can get hurt, plus, it's disrespectful. You are at a location that a ghost calls "Home" for what ever reason. Respect that as if it still is. This goes for being at a business or person's residence. People are watching your every move, your behavior and how you conduct yourself. Other ghost hunters may be judged by the experience the person has who's watching you. If it's a business, you might be the cause for other ghost hunters to be denied future access to a haunted location. By the same token, how you conduct yourself will also reflect on how future hunters will be welcomed. Be professional at all times. 

Earning People's Trust

Remember, you are a stranger to most people you will meet. They have some fears and concerns about letting a total stranger into their home or office. Respect that, and do what you can to ease that fear. Be polite, explain as you do or before you do something so that they feel they have some control also. If they want to participate, ask them questions that may help lead you to a particular hotspot in the home or office. Remember not to touch, pick up or break anything. If it's not yours, leave it alone. The last thing a person or group needs is an accusation of a theft. This also is another reason why you should never ghost hunt alone. Do what you came to do, be polite, and don't overstay your welcome. Also, don't talk or share personal information about a person's lifestyle in their home. Who and what they are and do at home is their business, not yours. 

 Respect the Ghosts

This is the most often ignored part of a ghost hunt. Remember that ghosts were once, and technically still are a person who once had a body. Don't just go into a place and start snapping pictures without saying a word. That's disrespectful to both the living and the dead. Announce your intentions. Ask the spirits/ghosts permission to take their picture. As silly as it sounds talking to something you can't see, you'll be surprised at how often they cooperate. When you first enter a location that's haunted, hang out for about 30 minutes. This gives the spirits time to get used to you being there. Use this time to do a EMF sweep so you'll know where the EMF readings are before hand. Check all doors and windows for air leaks, so if you feel a cold chill, you know it's not the windows or AC. Set up any audio & video equipment at this time and make note of any noises you make when approaching or leaving the area around the equipment. After 30 minutes, Tell the spirit's) that you would like to take their picture and if they would please stand in front of you. Point in the direction of where you're going to take the picture and give them a heads up count down. It doesn't hurt to add a little humor... "On the count of three, one, two, Say Cheese! *Snap Picture*" 

Don't Freak Out!

On some intense ghost hunts, You've got adrenaline pumping naturally, making you more alert and aware of your surroundings. Any little sound or movement might cause you to jump or react. The most important thing to do is DON'T FREAK OUT! People don't want to hear a blood hurling scream because something scared you. Trust us, there are some people who are natural screamers. When on ghost hunts, it's not uncommon to have things that go bump in the dark, or furniture move on their own. A lot of times, this is the spirits way of acknowledging your presence. That's not to say Ghosts don't have a sense of humor.  They may get a kick out of scaring a girl/woman who's already scared silly. Again, this is why we don't travel alone. Sometimes, someone with us is our anchor to reality and a sense of safety. Remember, the people who invited you are expecting you to remain calm, collected and professional. If you go, they will go too and it will be a big mess. Set the example. 

How do they feel?

It's important early on to understand how the person or business who invited you feels about the potential of having a ghost in their home or office. They will have questions for you to answer about the existence of ghosts, what equipment you use, and why you're doing it. Educate yourself so you can educate others who are open minded about ghosts. This may be one way of testing your knowledge or experience to see if you really know what your doing. If they disagree or don't welcome the thought of having a ghost in their home or office, don't argue or promote any evidence of potential ghost footage/photographs. This may only lead to further anxiety and could have a snowball effect. If they are open minded and want to know if a ghost does occupy the same space, be honest and show them what data you have gathered. If showing them a picture, help them rule out natural causes leaving the unexplained as possible evidence of a ghost. Since no one can 100% say for sure it's a ghost, do your best to add up what it is, if it's not a ghost. 

Religion & Faith

Some people's religion, faith, philosophy or beliefs permit them to NOT believe the existence or any evidence of a ghost/spirit. And if so, that all ghosts/spirits are evil or the work of the devil, are demons, etc. When we encounter a person who has strong religious beliefs, we need to respect their feelings and their beliefs. We might not agree or like their feelings about ghosts, but we're not here to debate or convert anyone to any side or belief. Agree to disagree, but never try to win a debate. It's not worth the trouble. We are investigators who have picked up consistent patterns which strongly suggest that ghosts are real and do exist. We don't know for 100% certainty but that's why we have equipment that we use to record data, photograph paranormal evidence, record audio & visual phenomena, record energy & temperature fluctuations. These readings are consistent with patterns found at other haunted locations. Religion has nothing to do with what we find. Religion, faith, beliefs & philosophy are all ways that people deal with understanding life, death and the afterlife. (I.e. what happens when we die, where do we go, etc.) What we deal with is science... physical patterns that are consistent and can be measured anywhere in the world. How we interpret that into religion is for each person do in private. Know what your camera does before using it. Know the range, flash distance, and what certain items look like in the dark or under adverse conditions. If you have a strap, REMOVE IT so it doesn't show up in your pictures. They have a way of looking ghostly on film, and is easy ammo for a skeptic to use against you.  

Other Ghost Organizations, Clubs & Businesses

Remember that anyone can start their own ghost hunting group. In fact, this is evident by the growing number of ghost clubs on the Internet. The important thing to remember, regardless if your starting a club, organization, or business, is that we're all pretty much in the same boat... We're ghost hunting. It's VERY important that you lay down the rules for others to follow if your inclined on starting your own group. Keep in mind that other groups may have been around longer, and may have more experience or numbers. You're not here to compete. We are all ghost hunting for personal reasons. Some for fun, some for serious reasons, some to make a profit, some for religious reasons, you name it. Open your group up to others so that they will feel comfortable with having you around. Let your intentions and motives be known. Invite them on a ghost hunt or two and if allowed, join them. Remember that when your invited to join their group, that you and your members must abide by their rules and their lead investigator. The same rule should apply to when they join your group. This keeps the group operating as a whole with no confusion on who's in charge & responsible.  

Conflicts & Civil Wars

In some groups, when you have two or more ghost hunting organizations in the same city, or surrounding area, No matter how hard you try, they may/will not accept your group, and in some cases, may even talk bad about it. This may cause difficulty down the road when the other group burns a potential bridge with a haunted location. DON'T DO THE SAME. If they have nothing better to do than to debunk your groups reputation or name, don't associate yourself with them, and don't swoop down to their level. Let that reflect on them. Instead, lead by example. Be professional, courteous, and remember that the public is watching and judging us by how we conduct ourselves, regardless what group name we hunt under. Fighting, Arguing & Conflicts are childish behaviors. We're better than that, and have no need for immature conduct. It's not a war about how many people you have in your group, or who's better. If anything, the quality of each group and its members is what everyone should strive for, not who's better or has the most toys. In the end, if two groups can't see eye to eye, still respect them and have an open door policy incase they want to try to amend things. 

Know Your Equipment

Make a list of things to check off BEFORE you leave to go on a ghost hunt. Make sure you have brand new batteries, make sure your camera is fully charged, your flashlight is working, where the extra batteries are, walkie talkies charged, etc. The last thing you want to find out is that your not prepared to be at a haunted location. Make sure you have plenty of gas in your car, some money in case you need to make a phone call, and always CARRY AN I.D. WITH YOU in case someone stops you and asks questions.

Respect Law Enforcement

 Now days, with people reporting suspicious activity, it's not uncommon to have the police or security to come and ask you questions on why you are hanging around a graveyard or other location at night. Remember that vandals used to do the same, and often destroyed their surroundings. We need to make it clear that we respect all local laws, authority, property, and that we're paranormal investigators/ghost hunters conducting an investigation. Some law enforcement don't share the same enthusiasm we have for being at a haunted location and don't care why we are there... just that we leave immediately. If confronted and asked to leave, be polite and don't make a fuss. In the future, other ghost hunters might be spared having to leave if you conduct yourself accordingly. 

 Sensitives, Mediums & Dowsers

While some ghost hunting groups have dedicated scientists who rely on their equipment, some groups, like ours, use both scientists and metaphysical means for finding ghosts. This cuts down on time and increases our success rate. Some of our  members are more "sensitive" to the presence of a ghost/spirit than others. They tend to pick up on if a spirit is in the room and where. They have an excellent track record and are tried & true when they say that "Something is here or near me." Usually, the scientists can confirm using their equipment in the location that was pointed out. 

Another type of ghost hunter is called a Dowser... someone who is experienced in the use of dowsing rods. Johnny Bravo, a member of our group & REI nails it every time on a ghost hunt. His dowsing rods point or swing in the direction of where ghosts are, and when photographed, they are right there next to him. He's a sure bet when ever we are on a hunt with him. Another type of ghost hunter is a Medium. They are able to either see, hear, or communicate directly with a spirit. Their gift is invaluable to any group that uses mediums. They have in the past helped other spirits communicate a message that was important before the spirit left the earth realm. All of these types of ghost hunters need to be respected, whether or not you believe what they are saying or feeling. We are an open minded group, and each type of person backs up each others claim. 

For example, on a ghost hunt, The Sensitives point out that someone's here, The dowsers rods react to a spirit in the room, the scientists measure a temperature drop and an energy signature consistent with a ghost, The medium tells that the spirit is happy or sad, why they are still around, etc. and the photographer snaps a picture using a digital or 35mm camera. It just so happens to be a glowing orb, mist, or apparition. Chances of it being a ghost or being in the presence of a ghost, almost 100%.  

Know The Weather

It's a good idea to watch the news, or get the local weather so that you know what conditions to expect when going out on a hunt. Appropriate clothing is recommended if you know of a cold front coming, or if an umbrella is needed. Usually, when the weather makes a turn for the worse, you'll want to wrap up your investigation until you have better weather. Windy conditions usually blow dusty & debris in the air, and when taking a photograph, it tends to make something look paranormal when it's not. The same thing for rain, sleet, hail, fog and/or snow. These conditions are not favorable for taking pictures or recording audio/video because the environment plays a major part in what ever it is that your trying to document. Plus for safety reasons, either driving or being out in this weather, it's not a good idea to ghost hunt. Ghosts aren't going anywhere, they'll be there when you return.

Monitor The Moon & Geo-Magnetic Fields

We've found that the Sun, along with the Moon and the Earth's geo-magnetic fields all help to create conditions that are favorable to encountering ghostly phenomena. Ghosts, being energy, feed off of other energy the way we drink from water when we're thirsty. When an electrical storm, either from the Sun, or Earth bombards the atmosphere, we have conditions that are ideal for ghost hunters to find ghosts/spirits. They feed off of this energy, making them a little more "active" in the sense that they easier seen, or heard from vs. the days when things are quiet. This pattern, is noticed almost all over the earth and is a reason why we pay attention to changes in the moon & geo-magnetic changes. The moon helps by creating a pull on the magnetic fields, making them stronger when approaching a full moon.

Electronic Voice Phenomena

"Ghost voices" are not a new discovery. In fact, the man who invented the first voice recorder was also the first to record "EVP's" (Electronic Voice Phenomena). His name is Thomas Edison. He spent the last few years of his life asking questions and carrying on conversations with what we now believe to be are ghosts/spirits. Considering that energy & magnetism, (two properties that ghosts are believed to be made of) are also the same properties used when recording audio sound to a tape. Thus, giving ghosts a means of verbally communicating with the living. As of 2002, No person has yet recorded a full blown conversation or paragraph, but at best, a full sentence has been recorded with remarkable clearly. Most often, one or two words are spoken at a time. When using a cassette or digital recorder to capture EVP's, make sure you place it away from any background noise that may interfere with your recording. Always use an external microphone so you don't record the sounds of the motor gears running. Cars passing by, dogs barking, clock ticking are examples of things that make it harder to hear when you have a faint voice recorded. Be sure you write down any noises that might be picked up. (You walking away from the recorder is an example. If you are going to or away, mention, I'm now walking away. With audio, you don't see what's going on. Your footsteps might be confused with a ghost. Also, place it away from heavy traffic or where you think people might be. If conducting a interview with a potential spirit, Ask a question, and wait about 3 seconds before asking another one. Ask open ended questions if possible, as well as random questions. You may be surprised at which question you get an answer to!

Sharing Pictures, Ideas, Thoughts...

Most of us would like to believe what we captured is ghostly or paranormal. We painstakingly made sure that we followed every precaution and rule in the book to ensure that the pictures & footage we have is not human/environmentally influenced. Some ghost hunters who are new, might not know all the measures we take to reduce the chances of a picture being human/environmentally influenced (Something that can be explained caused by a person or natural event doing something that was caught on film.)

Example of these are 30+ people walking around in a dusty construction area of a house or building and taking a picture immediately afterwards, or taking pictures outside when the winds are gusting or if its raining. The result expected would be lots of orbs in the picture. To a new member who doesn't know this, this looks like a jackpot prize. The same goes for someone smoking inside of a house and taking a picture that shows an ectoplasmic mist, and last but not least, someone with long wavy hair not tied down, captures a vortex on camera. These things can be avoided and explained through normal means. 

When a new ghost hunter shows you something that you think might be explained naturally, ask them what the conditions were at the time the picture was taken. Also, ask what precautions were taken. If they answer honestly, detailing the precautions taken,  they may very well have a ghostly phenomena. By you giving the person the benefit of the doubt, & not shooting down their picture without first asking what precautions were taken, you are giving that ghost hunter the respect and validation for a job well done. New members as well as veteran members like to get that kind of praise every once in a while... it's what keeps us coming back for more.

Paper or Plastic?

There remains a huge debate between the use of Digital Cameras vs. 35mm Cameras. One has negatives that back up a ghostly phenomena, but by the same token, can produce a ghostly phenomena if the negative is bent or has debris on it... Digital cameras on the other hand have no such evidence, but provide a clearer means of seeing a spirit. One is costly in the long run, One is costly in the beginning. As to which one to choose is up to the preference of the ghost hunter using it. Usually, if possible, have both and use both to back up each other. Our group likes to compare 35mm with Digital pictures to show how two different cameras can catch the same spirit on film. The Sony Mativa is most commonly used amongst the Digital photographers, while Advantix style cameras are used for the quick loading and sharper images on 35mm roles. When printing pictures, don't forget about the quality of your printer ink also. You will want to use a high quality printer ink, like Epson or Brother ink.

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This page is a guide line on how to properly investigate as a ghost hunter. You assume all risks and give up all rights to sue us by being here as defined by the terms and condition of our website. Use common sense, obey the law and be respectful. Remember that other ghost hunters will be judged by how you conduct yourself so be professional at all times.

Ghost pictures and explaintions

Have you ever gone through an old photo album, and saw something, like a orb or shadowy figure? Have you taken a picture and noticed a shadowy figure or orb? Send you pictures to me, and I'll check them out, maybe even post it! I'll give you an explaintion as well. Tell me if you would like to post it, or not. And if so, if you want me to say your name, and if you do, I will need your user name. You can email me the picture, or ask me questions, at: cutiepie141999@yahoo.com. Here are a few pictures that I got off of GhostStudy.com. I own none of the pictures.


Source: GhostStudy.com

(a guy took a picture, and said that in the picture it looked like ecto plasim (sp?) was coming out of his mouth.) I beleive that this is either smoke, trickery, or a smudge/dirty lens.
Next photo:
Emma writes, I took this eerie photo on my phone at Hull's £53million attraction The Deep. Boffins at the aquarium admit they are baffled by the appearance of the man's face, which appears to be gawping up at a shark. I only spotted the ghoulish face when I arrived home. My boyfriend said, 'what's that?' I replied, 'it's a shark'. "He said, 'no, the face.' I was like, oh my Gosh! It actually looks quite spooky. "I'm easily freaked-out." Although my dad, 48, was standing next to me in the glass tunnel, he looks nothing like the man in the photo. Bosses have spent hours searching CCTV footage, which confirmed the the two of us were the only ones inside the tunnel. And they have even tried to recreate conditions in the tunnel where the reflection could appear, but with no success. The aquarium - on the banks of the Humber estuary - was built on the site of an isolation hospital, where smallpox victims were held. It's not the first time ghostly goings-on have been reported. A night watchman claims to have spotted a shadowy figure in the TimeLine, which charts the history of the world's oceans. Colin Brown, chief executive of The Deep, said: "We are a scientific centre and we're sure there must be a logical explanation. "It's just that we can't find it."

See the full-size image at: SecretCrypt.com   Close-up   Other Ghostly Photos in Water I think that this is not, in fact, a 'ghost' face. It was probably a reflection. (Have to cut this short. I have research to do)

Ghost hunting Tips: How to capture ghost voices (Otherwise known as EVPs)

Ghost hunting tips: How to hunt for ghosts!

How to hunt for ghosts!
.Here is the much anticipated list of all the basic ghost hunting tips necessary for optimal results in the field. The list was created with your safety in mind.   
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"A good investigator is objective. Adheres to scientific protocols, eliminates all other possibilities and presents what is found"
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Let's Get started...
 In the instructions below I allude to the fact that it is possible for a ghost to follow you home, and this is obviously a concern among ghost hunters. However, it is extremely rare! You have more of a chance of being followed home by an actual person than of a ghost. I feel confident if you follow the rules all will be well.  :)

Here are twenty helpful tips:

1.  Never go alone on a ghost hunt. Take along a partner for safety and peace of mind.

2.  Always say a prayer of protection before and after a ghost hunt.  We don't want those pesky ghosts following us home!

3.  Make sure all of your equipment is fully charged and that you have extra batteries available. Ghosts have the ability to drain fully charged instruments. 

4.  Don't walk into an area snapping pictures right off the bat. Give those ghosts that are present some time to get used to you.

5.  Be aware of the surroundings for safety sake. For best results, always take a day walk through before doing a nighttime investigation, if possible. The other option would be to show up just before dark (dusk) and have a look around before starting.  

6.  A ghost hunter steps into an investigation/ghost hunt with the best of feelings for those that are with him/her and for the ghosts that might be present. In other words, full respect for the living and the dead. 

7.  Above all - NO HORSE PLAY! A serious and conscientious ghost hunter gets results.

8.  Large groups should split up into smaller groups of four individuals or less per team.

9.  If you are scientifically minded, and I hope that you are.....take along a notebook to record significant occurrences. Begin by logging in the starting time and weather conditions etc. Also make note of surrounding lights so as to not confuse them with anomalies later on in the pictures. Record all meter abnormalities, strange sounds, sightings and feeling or emotions. Each group should take their own notes and compare afterwards.

10.  Do not show fear. A gracious ghost will not come around if they sense you are fearful. Yet your fear can have a mischievous ghost feeding on that fear......not good. 

11.  Always remember, you are the one with the body, and you are the one with the power. Don't give up your power to them through fear.

12.  Keep in mind that a lot of the places you will be investigating will be secluded. Because of this you should always bring along some form of protection. I suggest pepper spray or  a stun gun. I am of course talking about protecting yourself from bad people, not bad ghosts.  *smile*

13.  If you are going to be taking pictures, be sure and read the Ghoststudy photography tips page. Click here for that page

14.  If you feel that some unknown force wants you out of there...then by all means get out! You should never go against these feelings or you could end up having something show up at your home. Turnabout is fair play right?

15.  Never dare an unseen entity to make itself known to you. However, It is okay to ask those present if you can take their picture or record their voice. 

16.  Make sure you have permission before entering private property such as a cemetery or abandoned house. I know how tempting this can be for a ghost hunter to do. Just remember this though, when you are caught sneaking around, it makes the ghost hunting community as a whole look bad. You could also be fined or jailed. Think about that.

17.  If you are not familiar with EMF meters, you might want to check out our meter page for helpful tips on using these devices. We also have meters available for sale through our secured service. Meters can be quite helpful in locating ghostly presences.

18.  Now a word about ghost voices, referred to as EVP (electronic voice phenomena). Take along an audio recorder and as you are recording ask questions to those invisible beings that might be in the area. Pause for an answer. It's also a good idea to ask some questions and then leave the device recording in a remote location for around 20 minutes or so. When you come back you might have your replies! For a list of  EVP instructions for capturing ghost voices, please see our EVP page.

19.  Be sure and have a look at out "standards and Protocol" page for a list of the guidelines expected when hunting for ghosts. 

20.  End a ghost hunt/investigation by evoking the power of God as a protection. "All unseen presences must remain here in the name of God" (or however you would do it according to your own personal religious beliefs). And don't forget to thank these that are unseen for any evidence you may have acquired during the investigation/hunt. 

Don't forget to check out your old photos and you photo albums for ghost anomalies. You might be pleasantly surprised at the ghost pictures you already have! 

Ghost detection devices
How to use them and where to buy them

Ghost hunting tips: How to take a picture of a ghost: Learn the basics

Learn basic ghost photography!

Here's the must know facts that every ghost hunter should know when out on a ghostly photography shoot. There are many basics that all ghost photographers should be aware of in order to have the best possible chance of getting ghostly phenomena on film. My hope here is to furnish all of the essentials necessary to allow everyone the opportunity to capture their own great photos! Once you get that first great snapshot.....you're hooked! 

Let's Get started... The first thing you should realize is that ghost phenomena does not always show up on film, even when they are present. And daylight photos are always a challenge. Therefore it's always better to take your photos at night with a flash or in an area with subdue lighting for the best possible chance of capturing something.. 
Type of camera's to use
Just about any camera will give you the desired photo results you seek. I'm seen great photos come from all types of camera's including simple disposable units. Now if you want the advantage of slow shutter exposure or fancy filters then you'll need a fancy camera to do it but to capture ghost phenomena on film can be achieved by using just about any camera you might have. I also recommend using 400 film. It's an all purpose film that will work great in most conditions.

Digital Camera's are a great tool for ghost hunters, but...
Digital cameras can be a great tool for ghost photographers! They allow you to see your photo results immediately. No film required! They only require a memory card or in some cases like mine, a floppy disk. The big advantage is, you will know right away if you have captured an anomaly, therefore allowing you to track it. There are draw backs however, digital cameras do not furnish a negative, therefore it's hard to prove your photos are not enhanced, A drawback indeed! So with that in mind, never depend totally on a digital camera for all your photos....more like use it as a tool to locate the anomalies. Then have a buddy duplicate your photos with a regular film camera. This will document your findings with a negative as well as a hard copy photo. There are other drawbacks that I am a bit reluctant to mention but I feel a responsibility to do so. First of all, I want to say that digital cameras are the best for capturing authentic ghostly orbs on film because of the technology used, (no doubt about it). But they are also notorious for producing them artificially from airborne particles at the time of the flash. These particles being, dust, pollen, and moisture, to name a few. Please note however that regular film cameras can also pick up these artificial orbs, but it is much more rare and they are always fewer in numbers. A general rule is to look for some substance within the orb structure for authenticity. Also avoid taking pictures in the above described conditions....that's it!  In conclusion, Let me reiterate what I suggested earlier...... Taking your digital camera along with you on your ghost hunts (as I always do) but also take along your 35 MM camera as well. It's best to use them as a team.

Here are twenty helpful tips:

1. Ghosts are not just in haunted old buildings. Ghosts are almost everywhere in one form or another. So don't be afraid to take photos at the mall or out on a busy intersection at night, or anywhere else for that matter.

2. When you take photos at night, let's say in a cemetery etc. make sure you have you camera set for night filming. If your camera has this setting, please use it otherwise your photos might come out to dark or fuzzy.

3. Always take photos of something and not just a clearing. Having a background image such as a tombstone, tree, building etc., It adds to the quality of the photo and allows mild light reflection for best possible results.

4. Take lots of pictures!  Takes photos of anything & everything with a good background image. The odds are good that you will capture an anomaly if you take at least 50 pictures on your hunt. Then again, you might just get some great stuff on your first roll, you just never know.

5. When taking your photos, make sure to avoid shinny surfaces. The shine from a glossy tombstone or pane of glass etc. can cause anomalies that can appear to look like ghost mist, fog & orb shapes. Oh, and never try taking photos through a glass window. It's just to easy to create shapes that aren't really there. Not worth wondering if it was created from the glass or not. Old glass is the worst.

6. Make sure your camera lens is clean at all times. Again, this can cause anomaly type images to appear. If the lens has a smudge it can easily show up on several pictures and can look like an anomaly, so look for that sign. Try to always keep your lens spotless.

7. Make sure you know where your camera strap & lens cover are at all times. These can appear as a vortex or other ghostly images if left to dangle free from the camera. If your thumb or finger is in the way of the lens it can cause this same effect.
8. Make sure long hair is tied back. Hair can also appear as a ghostly anomaly. Strains of hair can look like orbs in motion as well as ghost energy.

9. Completely avoid taking photos when conditions are windy, foggy, rainy, dusty and where it's snowing or when moisture is in the air. All of these conditions can cause images to appear that look exactly like orbs and ghostly anomalies. 

10. In cold weather make sure your breath is not affecting the photo results. Exhaled air in cold weather can appear in front of the lens to create all sorts of strange elusions including mist & orbs shapes. 

11. A condition called "Lens Flair" produces strange effects in your photos. To avoid this do not take photos in the direction of the sun. Also, never take a picture in the direction of any direct light source. Preferably have all light sources away from you or even behind you when snapping your photos. 

12. Talk to the ghosts. When you enter an area that you want to photograph, such as a cemetery, follow these steps: Walk around the area for about 15 minutes before doing anything else. As you're walking around, clear your mind and think only good thoughts. (Ghosts can sense your feelings and read your thoughts) After 15 minutes, recite the following statement or something similar. "Hi, my name is ______, We have come here to take some pictures of you as ghosts in order to show & document that there is life after death. We have only the best of intentions. We are not here to do any harm and we will only be here long enough to take our photos and then we will  leave. Our only request is to take a picture of you, any of you! Thank you so much. I'll begin taking pictures now......thanks. Take all the pictures you think you need to and start heading back to your car. On the way, stop one last time and say: We are leaving now, just in case I didn't get any pictures of you on film can I take just 5 more pictures of this monument (or whatever) and would one of you mind posing for me in these very last photos? Take five more photos and then say: Thank you so much for putting up with me & my group.....we enjoyed being here in your company and am grateful for any photos you have allowed us to have of you..........thanks again, bye. If you were able to get some good pictures and you proved your good intentions to the ghosts.....then you will be welcomed back on your return visit.  :)

13. Most ghost energy will appear in the air from two to ten feet above the ground. So focus a portion of your attention at that level but don't limit yourself totally to it.  Ghostly phenomena can and will also appear above your head at times so be sure and snap some random shots up above at times. Note: in a buildings they can appear at any level of the structure and at any height. 

14. The odds of encountering an evil spirit are slim to none but here is the counsel concerning them. Don't go hunting for evil spirits and DO NOT dare them to come around. If you hear or see a sign of evil spirits you should leave immediately. 

15. Avoid mirrors or even taking photos in the general direction of a mirror. The camera flash can create a flash in the mirror that can produce a variety of effects including vapor, mist & fog. 

16. Try following your instincts when taking ghost photos. If you have a particular inclination to snap a photo in a particular direction or at a particular object, do it. Trust your feelings an as you do, your abilities to sense ghosts should increase. 

17. Ghosts are quite often attracted to people and will follow them around. So include people in the photos you take. Tip: When taking photos of others try to include enough space to one side of the picture and above the heads of those in the photo to capture any anomalies present. Remember the purpose is to catch anomalies and people together in the same photo. Here's another trick to use when ghosts might be following you around......put the camera over your shoulder and snap a picture behind you. This can be an effective technique at times......trust me. 

18. The best time of the year for capturing ghost images on film are in the colder months when electrostatic energy is at it's highest. These months being October through February. You can capture any kind of ghost type on film at any time of the year but the above mentioned months just increase your odds is all. Orbs however, don't seem to be affected by seasons and are by far the easiest anomalies to capture on film. 

19. Remember your flash limitations. A flash can only be useful for up to a certain distance. Normally within 15 feet. So if you are in a cemetery at night and take a picture of a mausoleum 30 feet away, the image will be hard to view and a bit washed out, as well as any anomalies present. Important note: The flash will help highlight the anomaly if the background image is within the the range (15 feet). Note: A flash attachment will increase your range if you desire to use one.

20. Best places to take pictures:  Some places are more haunted than others. Some typically haunted locations are cemeteries, old buildings, including old hotels, houses, hospitals, schoolhouses, and churches. Other good spots are theaters as well as any historic part of a city. Use your imagination and see what works for you. Just remember the best rule of thumb is to include places that are rich in history on your investigations. That's the basics in a nutshell.......study and know them well and you will be well on your way to capturing strange phenomena on film in the near future. I might add, once you start seeing the fruits of your labor, you will be hooked! And life will no longer be the same for you as it was before. Ghost hunting is a great hobby and can be a truly fulfilling one as well. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors! 

Don't forget to check out your old photos and photo albums for ghost anomalies. You might be pleasantly surprised at the ghost pictures you already have!