I would guess that most of us let it slide because we just don't want the "drama" of trying to break it to someone gently that their orb is not a ghost...just dust, bugs etc.  Most of us who have been doing this a bit know that 90% of orbs are not paranormal.  Out of the 10% left I would doubt that more than 2% can't be explained.  Debunking someones pics takes a bit of skepticism plus (dare I use this word?) compassion and a bit of finesse not to mention a bit of teaching skills.

When I first started my group, we spent more time learning before doing, I would show them pics that I knew were dust etc, oplus some that I had faked along with some that (to my mind) real.  The group studied them along with some books that I have that told how to tell the diference.  However, experience is the best teacher, I had a couple who wanted to check out a "haunted" road near where they live, it does have a long standing reputation as being a really stange place.

I told them to go, send me the pics and I would go over them and give my interp.  Needless to say they came up with some interesting pictures...however, upon questioning them I found they had not when taking the pics paid much attention to the enviornment surrounding them.  One pic had a boatload of orbs, I asked what time of road, it turned out to brand new "chip and seal" in otherwords a lot of dust from the car, little wind that night, hence orbs.  They accepted that.  The other picture showed what appeared to be something hunkered down in the woods with glowing red eyes, neat said I.  Go back to where you took this pcture and get one in daylight so we can compare.  They did, and it was a stump.

To make a long story short (I know, too late) while most people can accept a critique of their pictures it's best to do it one on one not in an open forum, that tends to PO most people. No matter how gentle you try to be some people will take it as an affront and ridicule to dis their pictures.

And yes GhostOhio this topic and been here before and will pop up again and again............ 

I think we are getting more pic.because of the digital camera.We don't have to spent all that money with the film.On a Sat.night I may go out and take 3-4 houndred pic.that would be alot of film.

  I also beleive people must think about there suroundings.Like the lady with the vacume.If I take a pic.on a dirt road in dry weather well I can expect to get alot of dust orbs.When we are new to the paranormal we whant to see something so bad we will see faces everywere.

  I think there are 4 big things anyone new to the field must keep in mind. 1) Think about your suroundings. 2) Be patient just relax and see what happens.3)Show respect for those around you the proberty owner and the spirits that may be with you. 4) Keep a open mind.

GOOD TOPIC THANKS FOR POSTING

hmm..ok, so debunk was a bad word to use. Got it. :)

My frustration lies with the lack of investigation.

I know what I experience and what I have experienced~but the recent onslaught of "evidence" has made me more skeptical than ever.

Oh well, thanks for all your feedback, and thanks Alan for having a place where I could vent. :)

I think I am going to change the term Newbie to Paranormalist for my own reason.

I use it a lot as do many. I think most don't mean anything by it but I think it tends to suggest that the new person doesn't know what they are doing, besides being new to the field. That is not always the case.

I like the sound of paranormalist. I think I will use it from now on to identify those who I feel have not yet decided if they want to be a serious investigator or a curious Ghost Hunter.

I wasn't hammering on all newbies...just so you know that.  I was more gearing toward the newbies who are after book deals and TV shows when they don't much real world experience to back it up.