The Controversy Over Orbs

The subject of orbs is a very prickly topic in the paranormal investigation field. Some will look at their digital camera and exclaim they have orbs and post it on their web site immediately without even examining the photo carefully. Other investigators say orbs do not represent ghostly phenomena at all and should be dismissed. The fact is that the majority of "orbs" are caused by dust, water condensation, or other airborne particles captured by the camera lense. Dust is in the air constantly, even if you can't see it.

True spirit orbs in the field of paranormal investigations, are basically balls of energy starting to form and are imprinted on a digital, Polaroid, or standard photograph. Occasionally orbs are seen in conjunction with ectoplasm, a kind of spirit 'substance, lending credence to the idea that orbs are the beginnings of ghosts trying to appear.

We really believe that just a picture of an orb isn't really much proof of anything unless accompanied by some sort of corroborating phenomena such as high EMF readings, sudden change in temperature, audio EVP, strong hit by a psychic or medium prior to picture being taken, or full manifestation of a spirit form.

So, when photographing any area you believe to hold spirit energy, please try and refrain from believing any perfectly round bright spot on your picture is proof of a spirit manifestation. Chances are, it's not. But then...

Check out Loyd Auerbach's excellent page about spirit photgraphs »
(Loyd is a well known paraspychologist)

A great example of what I believe to be a true orb is pictured below. It's not perfectly round (dust specks), it has some density, and of course, is conveniently hovering above a grave.