Question:
Are photographic orbs which appear in some
photographs, truly representations of an energy form defined as the spirit of
the dead or a human sole after we die or does science and psychology reveal
otherwise?
Spirit Orb Photograph Definitions:
Paranormal spirit
orbs are believed to be photographic representations of the spirit of the dead or
a human sole after a person dies. Sometimes they are also considered as other
types of energy forms, thoughts, extraterrestrials, natural spirits, and
portals to another dimension or another worldly life form. They are adamantly defined
by some believers to be a yet confirmed scientific phenomenon. It is estimated
by positive orb experts that from 50 – 90 percent of orbs that show on
photographs are false positive and conform to the scientific explanations of a photographic
orb (i.e., originating from a backscatter).
Written Instructions for Taking Orb
Photographs:
The following
list of instructions are taken directly from the website eHow – How to
Photograph Orbs on June 26, 2012 as found at www.ehow.com/how_2314967_photograph-orbs.html
1.
Meditate
and focus on your intention to manifest orbs. The orbs will eventually hear
your call because they possess consciousness and intelligence.
2.
Point
your camera
in a direction where a person or persons will be included in the frame. This is
because orbs are attracted to people, especially large groups.
3.
Refrain
from using flash if you can. Some people, especially skeptics, believe orbs are
caused by reflections of condensation and dust particles which are further
enhanced by using flash.
4.
Shoot
photos letting your intuition guide you as to how and what to shoot. If you're
using a digital camera, don't stop to examine the photos you take
because the orbs probably won't be visible until after the photos have been
downloaded to your computer. If you're not getting any results, stop taking
photos. The energy may not be right and you should try again another day.
5.
Find
a method that works for you. Repeat that method when you photograph orbs and it
will become a ritual, attracting the orbs to you.
6.
Remember
the circumstances and methods you used when you begin to see orbs in your
photographs. There may be something you did that was a signal or energy call
for the orbs to appear. Try using the same methods when you find something that
works.
How to Take Photographs of Orbs and More:
Scientific Explanation Photography Orb:
Backscatter is
light from a light source that is reflected back from deleterious substances on
the lens surface or atmosphere that reflects back causing a speck of light to
appear on the photograph sometimes referred to as an orb artifact. Substances
suspended in air such as snowflakes, rain or dust can also cause an orb
artifact. The miniature nature of modern digital cameras has increased the orb
artifact effect since the distance between the lens and internal flash source
is reduced. The reduction in distance decreases the angle of light reflection
which increases the chance that light is reflected off of normally invisible
particles. The increase in this photographic artifact has increased as a result
of shrinking digital size. Please note
that several hours of research did not reveal a vast amount of scientific
information pertaining to the scientific explanation of photographic backscatter
and the production of the orb artifact.
What
Defines Paranormal Spirit Orbs as Paranormal Phenomenon?
The use of imprecise terminology and methods
that are not scientifically proven are found throughout the definition and
methods used to obtain paranormal orb photographs. For example, from the eHow
list, Number 1: the photographer is told that meditation is required to obtain
an orb photograph and no evidence is offered to prove that meditation can
produce a photographic orb. Number 4: It is suggested here that the
photographer use intuition as a guide in photographing an orb. There is a
suggestion not to stop and look at photographs while taking them, wait until
the photographic are downloaded since they probably won’t be observed while the
pictures remain on the camera. These suggestions have no scientific basis and
are very imprecise methods to obtain a good photograph.
When describing orbs, believers use of the
words energy, portals to another dimension, extraterrestrials and natural
spirits do not define precisely what they are intended to be nor are they
scientifically defined. Science uses precise terms to illustrate a position. In
the How to Photograph Orbs video we are told that orbs can hear our intentions
and respond to them because they have intelligence and consciousness. I have
found no scientific evidence that our intentions make sound. Nor has science
proven that spirit orbs exist.
Believers sometimes use the photographic
scientific evidence of the orb artifact to discredit or question the
authenticity of an orb. There is an acknowledgement made by supporters that from
50-90 percent of orbs have real scientific explanations leaving the remainder
to be unexplained by science and thus a prime example of pseudoscience. As
illustrated in the video – orb photographs are not common during windy days or
evenings but no explanation is given as to why windy conditions are poor for
obtaining orb photographs. Perhaps the suspension of dust particles in the air
during high winds is not conducive to orb photography.
There is a testimonial given by the woman in
the video about taking paranormal orb photographs and the psychic investigators
website which is a prime example of pseudoscience and the paranormal. There are
repeated personal experiences or testimonials rather than scientific based
studies.
On the ghost circle website, reverence is made
to a series of facts one of which is substantiated by a Dr. Klaus Heinemann
Ph.D. but no link or reference to the study is provided to the reader. This is
a technique used by pseudoscientists by appealing to a false authority. The
listing of fact after fact on this website is an example of making an
extraordinary claim without scientific evidence.
Psychological
Explanation:
According to D. Alan Bensley
(p. 63, 2007), Can Minds Leave Bodies? A Cognitive
Science Perspective, some humans have a dualistic cognitive belief that
their mind and body are unique and separate entities and that a sole exists as
a component of them. In modern Christian cultures, the root of this religious belief
is that soles live on after death retaining powers of perception.
The paranormal belief in orbs
might reside in the belief that soles live after the physical body can no
longer carry them. The photographic orbs are considered to be a living sole
after a person dies which is very similar to an out-of body experience or the
belief in ghosts, and reincarnation. The difference from a photographic orb and
the out-of body experience is the person having a paranormal out-of body
experience is alive to report the experience.
Opinion:
There appears to be insignificant amount
scientific information published with respect to what exactly causes the orb
artifact in a photograph. Surely there is no scientific evidence which substantiates that photographic orbs are the human soles or spirits. Perhaps, the scientific community is not concerned
with such a trivial matter and there is no additional need for scientific investigation
of this photographic phenomenon.
Sources:
Bensley,
D.A. (2003, July/August) Can minds leave bodies? A cognitive science
perspective. Lawson, Timothy J. Scientific Perspectives on Pseudoscience and
the Paranormal Readings for General Psychology. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2007, p. 63-72. Print.
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