Having been on countless investigations, "(ghost hunts), or the search for a local legends", or most anything you want to call it, I call it, "my hobby". Since somewhere in 1970 I have been "stalking the unknown". Has that created a smugness in me thinking I have been there done that? No! I am just as excited today to go out, even if it is ground we already covered. I also look forward to someone finding some new ways to discover things or to show me something we missed.
I have taken part in many other groups investigations, which has allowed me to see different approaches & technics, in many different states. I love getting together with a group and hearing the excitement, to see individuals kind of specializing like an automatic writer, or a dowser. As time and technology has moved forward things are changing. Change is a good thing so is it really helping us to find something?
Proof, what is it?
There are many different opinions for the word, is one right and one wrong? One scenario would be the question as to why are we finding more paranormal picture with digital photos and videos, and EVP recordings. Some skeptics say it is the digital technology failing in some places, some say we didn't get as many really profound photos in the days of the 35mm camera. For many years now I have told people to tell your photo store to send you all the pictures. Ever send a roll of 24 and get 20 back? What was on those 4 that didn't pass inspection? That is one possible reason we weren't seeing the paranormal ectoplasm, or the blotches that might have been an anomaly or entity.
What about sound recording(EVP's)? How long did a tape last, 90 minutes (big and bulky) at best? My digital recorder will record about 7-8 hours (slips in my pocket), and there is no tape noises of the tape being dragged across the sound head. My digital Camera can take hundreds of photos on one small chip, which cost $30.00+- and is going to be used for years at no additional cost. That has allowed me to take an unlimited number of photos. What about EVP's 8 hours is a long time for asking questions of the spirit energies, would you like to be there that long? Fact is that they are about 50 dollars, so buy 2 using the money you have saved on film and film development (which might have destroyed the photos you really want).
What can we do to have a successful trip? Well trust me you don't need thousands of dollars worth of equipment! Here's what I like to do. If possible go to the site in the daytime. Take a series of pictures to give you something to compare a possible anomaly taken with a flash to a well lit(daytime) picture of the same area to hopefully show what might be something explainable. Have group rules of conduct, like no smoking (except in predesignated area). No smelly stuff on us, like hair jells, body creams, some deodorants, even mints and gum, and of course perfume type liquids. Take the investigation serious, it wouldn't be nice to start off by bring out the bad stuff. Cleanse yourself and everyone with you. If you are going to talk out loud make it warm and friendly. So far what I have seen is that what you put out is what you will get back (most times).
Equipment:
Flashlights, lot of people are wearing those head set lights. Good for hands free bad for pictures someone else might be trying to take as you look toward them. Since these dont need to be search light just something to allow you to move in the dark. Try LED(about 20.00). You can carry a small high intensity flashlight in your pocket. I have one that uses 2 C batteries is a nice size and can light up a trail for at least 100 yards,(less than 20.00). What about EMF detectors? I take a 5.00 compass, they will show magnetic fluctuations too and are not hundreds of dollars. Digital Thermometers would be nice to have, but really aren't going to do enough for you to go into debt for, but if you were going to buy something this would be a good place to start.
The one thing we need to get is experience! This is going to allow us to remain objective. Myself as well as almost everyone I have ever met starts out wanting to find the mother load! What we are really hoping for is to find some spec of the spirit world. Getting overexcited can mess up what might be a great find. As hard as it is you need to take you time and if you going to play with the picture make sure you make a copy keeping the original for further looking at. If are going to send it out to someone I like to get both daytime and night time pictures, gives me something to compare to.
One question always asked is what do I take pictures of? I always say to use you intuitive abilities. If you are a man listen to the women, this is one of those time that woman's intuition is a good thing. Not like the times she seems to know that you were a bad boy before you get home? If something makes you look into a certain area shoot it if you have more than one person taking picture try to stagger the flashes but by all means take pictures of the same area. This helps determine if it was just your camera.
Think about it this way. If you go in with a head light beaming, sound equipment around you neck along with digital and 35 mm camera and a video cam in your hand you most certainly will spend too much time on the equipment and miss something happening (hoping it wasn't a hole in the floor). After 37 years of doing this trust me the chances of something really abnormal wont scream at you, at best it will be a slight fluctuation in the air, or temperature, and yes many time a scent you pick up. Remember this might be a new dimension (to us) that our eye is not trained to see, so if it isn't in our brain we wont see it as the brain is what forms the picture. Most times this happens so fast we miss it so we hope the camera and recorder freeze the moment for us to study.
Orbs: The most commonly found evidence. Is it really a spirit? I guess 90-95% of the pictures I get are of orbs. Seems to be one thing we can find everywhere, how can we determine if it is something paranormal. Truth is we can't, there are opinions and some dust/moisture/ pollen orbs are easily determined. But there are many what are questionable. I like the ones that are moving erratically, or are peaking out from behind some object. I invite healthy skepticism just as much as finding something you think is an orb or some other anomaly. But I say we should skeptical with an open mind also.
If there was a capsule you could take for a successful trip, it would be have fun. For me this is and most always has been fun, even if we were scared! Don't worry about hundred's or thousand's of dollars of equipment. If you think you found something and want to send it out to anyone to look at (including me) send the original and be sure you made a copy before anyone alters it. There are many universities, and professional ghost hunters out there with large budgets for equipment, with many PhD's, and graduate students who have a lot more time than you and I do.
I look forward to hearing and sharing new and old stories, so send them out to the group.
See you soon,
Steve Shank
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