Debunking Photography Anomalies
I plan to give a more detailed blog for learning more about how cameras work but this blog is fashioned after the meme that has gone viral several times (see left). When you learn photography or you learn how to use a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) in manual mode, there are many different settings that can alter the quality or even alter the frame for more creative images. The main component to these settings is the Exposure Triangle. Each of these three controls on the triangle work together to make sure the photograph has enough light for proper exposure. When one is changed for a specific reason, another must be adjusted. The Shutter Speed is the length of time the shutter is open to allow light into the frame. The Aperture is the size of the hole in the lens that allows in light. The last component is the ISO, which is basically the sensitivity of the digital sensor which maintains the amount of light necessary for a proper exposure. It is extremely important to understand how cameras work whether you are operating it manually or automatically, like a cell phone or just a regular point-and-shoot camera. These cameras have all the same components they just adjust automatically, however just because they are automatic does not mean they are efficient. When cameras adjust each of these components in a low light setting they become subject to photographic anomalies that are only present due to the camera adjusting the settings to allow more light into the frame. The same goes for utilizing the flash, things can appear on the photograph that may not have been visible when the picture was taken.
SLOW SHUTTER
When adjusting the shutter speed on the camera, whether it is manual or automatic, it first and foremost chooses the speed at which the shutter opens and closes. A short shutter speed is a shorter exposure to the light and the frame of the picture you are taking. If you have a longer shutter speed (or a long exposure) you have that shutter open for a longer time which allows more light into the frame. But how does this effect your photograph? When the shutter is open for a long period of time it is not just letting in light, it is also collecting every detail of the scene you have in the camera frame. If people, objects, bugs, or fine particles are moving through the frame; you will collect ALL of their movement. Some call this shutter drag.
Blurred Movement
With a slow shutter speed you will see blurred motion of where they moved from and stopped during the shutter being open. I have personally seen many photographs shared on social media and at events, that can be explained by the camera shutter being open longer when people are moving. Many people who are out for tours or just wandering taking pictures don't realize when there is another person in the camera frame or that walked into the frame during the shutter being open. They may not also understand that if you move the camera at any point it can create these same anomalies. The picture to the right is just one example of a person moving.
Light TrailsAnother really common anomaly with a slow shutter speed is a light trail, which in artistic photography they create things called light painting. It is the same idea that a seemingly still light in a frame can be captured to be more of a trail of light that obviously wasn't visible, because infinitesimal movement created the trail of the still light, due to the camera shutter being open for a longer period of time. The photograph to the left is an image of a night light during which I personally took a picture of while holding the camera. As you see my minimal movement created a light trail from the still night light. (Note: If you are needing to have a camera shutter open longer for additional exposure/ light always use a tripod and timer. Any movement will compromise your photograph.)
OBJECT IN FRONT OF LENS
Is it a vortex or is it a camera strap? That is the question. There are a lot of people that will respond "Nothing was there when I took the picture.", when a peer may ask the question of whether there was something in front of the camera lens. Unfortunately we all know what it looks like to have objects in front of the lens, occupational hazard I guess you would say. Fingers, camera straps, dust, bugs, moisture, hair, and so much more can create an unusual result. Items like hair, fingers, and camera straps are more recognizable because they are solid and close to the camera lens. (See Right.) Things like dust, bugs, moisture, and fine particles are a little more difficult to identify, however they are definitely on the spectrum of explainable photograph anomalies.
Remember the slow shutter? We are bringing that back. Have you seen dust float through a video? Bugs? Moisture? I can assure you that the same slow shutter is allowing the still camera to capture any movement of these small particles that may not be visible to the naked eye. They can look like rods like the hair in the picture above, but more hazy and transparent. They do not need their own light source to be visible on a low light photograph, however they will be more visible with a flash or light source from the direction of the camera (flashlight). The picture to the right is moisture in the air during one late October night, it was illuminated by the camera flash. Bugs can be illuminated and seem to look like little angels or fairies, but they are just illuminated by IR or other light that make them seem otherworldly due to their wing movement or even their legs. The explosion of Ring Camera footage has pretty much broken the internet with spiders and bugs crawling across the lens like little wraiths in the night. Note: Even taking multiple pictures will not debunk the fact that it is dust, bugs, moisture, etc. These are moving freely through the air and can be noted moving from one spot to another or can completely disappear based on the light sources. MISTS AND SMOKE
Like the bugs, dust, and moisture; things can at times be not as they seem. When it is cold outside you will be able to see your breath and there's a strong chance if your camera is warm; condensation will build on your camera. The opposite is also true, if your camera is cold and the air is warm, you will have condensation. There are so many things to take into consideration when taking photographs, you must be careful. Use critical thinking or just plain old common sense. I am going to approach the photographs with smoke in them with unveiled criticism. Beware people who share photographs with smoke in them especially if it's December. There are too many frauds out there and these pictures can be a variety of things, even blatant sharing of known variables. Additionally light sources in front or at the side of the camera can create anomalies such as these....
Now we get back into the components of the camera and how they effect your images. The sun is probably your worst enemy when taking photographs. If it is present at any degree in the 180 radius of where you are standing, it will compromise your photograph. It creates something called lens flare or sun flare. If you look at the photograph to the left, you will see a small green dot along the flared sunlight streaking out. That is a very common result of taking pictures with the sun in frame, or any other light source for that matter. The flare of a direct or indirect light source on the camera lens; can create lines, dots of lights, and even a hazy bright area on the image.
PAREIDOLIA
Last (for this blog) but not least, Pareidolia. If you have been in the paranormal field for any length oftime you will know about this term. It is the minds way of finding patterns in random data. Like looking at the clouds and seeing a bunny, this is our minds of looking for the familiar in chaos. Smudged windows, objects in dark rooms seen outside windows, patterns in flora/ fauna, amalgamation of objects that seem to form figures, and more. There is a lot of this happening. My rule of thumb is if you have to circle it, it's probably not paranormal. No matter what it may or may not be, if there is even a chance you recognize what it is, IT IS NOT PARANORMAL. While I can profess that I have seen all of these come out of my camera at one point of time or another, or I can give examples of these and how they are created; there is always those who will not believe these are factual and accurate representations of how they are getting their photographs. I personally don't use photography to capture paranormal anomalies because I do understand how easy it is to capture something that may seem unexplainable. I only utilize photography these days in order to document the location and it's contents. There is such a thing as Cognitive Bias, people will believe what they want to believe even faced with facts. An unfortunate result of that is most of us think they are foolish and wish that our educational information would be taken seriously to improve the reputation of our field of study. Someday perhaps, but today may not be that day.
Rebecca Boyer
Co-Founder/ Case Manager
Antietam Paranormal Society
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