Ghost Hunting 101

Ghost Hunting 101

By Sarah Zell & the IGHS

So you've decided you want to hunt ghosts. It doesn't take an expert to capture a ghost on camera or to record an EVP. But it is good to know some basics before heading out to a cemetery or other haunted location in the middle of the night. I won't admit to knowing everything, but I've been ghost hunting for about 4 years now and I want to share a few things that I have learned that I wish I knew when I started. I will discuss a little bit about what to take when you go, and what to do when you get there. Remember... this is the basic stuff that you need to know to get started. But that's the cool part.... ANYONE can do it. Just get started and have fun!

What you might need:

There are a variety of methods people use to capture paranormal activity. It doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment but there are a few basic things that you should have before heading out. You don't have to have everything to get started. I started with just a camera and a flashlight, but if you can spend a little to get a few of these other things it makes ghost hunting a lot more fun!

Camera: 35mm camera with black and white film and/or infrared film. Digital cameras work well too! (and you can save the expense of developing the film) Video or camcorders are also very good and should be used. Use brand new tapes. Don't use an old tape and tape over something. Have all the film developed by experts. Don't forget tri-pods!

Night Vision Equipment: Night Vision scopes can be very useful. You can also get cheap adapters that will attach the scopes to video cameras for about $30. Night Vision Equipment can be expensive but it is getting more price reasonable. Expect to pay between $250-$4000. You can get some good scopes in the $300 range that work very good on video equipment.

Tape Recorder: A good tape recorder and an external microphone should be in use at all times in the ghost hunt. Even if you don't hear anything during the hunt rewind the tape and play it back. Spirit voices have been known to be heard on tape later after review. This is referred to as, EVP, Electronic Voice Phenomena. Again, use brand new tapes when recording. Ask questions and wait a few seconds. You will be surprised what you catch on tape! You can use digital or regular tape recorders.

Flash Lights: Always have bright flash lights (usually 3 or 4) and extra batteries. Since ghosts draw energy from what is around them... your batteries can unexpectedly go dead!

A Notebook and pens/pencils: Notebook is a good way to keep notes, records of time or a journal of events. If you have any hunting logs, make sure you take these as well.

EMF Detector: These are great! EMF Detectors can pick up electronic fields over different frequencies. Where there are ghosts there are usually disruptions in the electronic field. They are relatively cheap ranging from $24 to $130. You should try to get a hold of one or more of these for all field work. As a guide line each person in your group should have one on hand.

Thermometer: A good thermometer can detect changes in room temperature quickly. They have also become relatively inexpensive. I bought mine on ebay for around $40.

Compass: Great for navigation if you know how to use one and also great for picking up those electromagnetic forces. A compass will react to any magnetic or electrical stimulus that is out of the ordinary. Same rules apply here, try not to use the electronic compass's. Stick to the simple boy scout, needle points North version. (if you can find one that has a backlight, it saves having to keep the flashlight pointed at it though!)

Infrared Thermal Scanner: These saves on infrared film and time by accurately pin pointing the cold spots. These scanners are excellent to use in outside investigations. Price range is around $300 to $500. This is not something that you must have, but if you can afford, it give it a try.

Air Ion Counter: Measures positive and negative Ions in the air. This little add-on is a great instrument to have for use in the field. The price is high, around $400 - $600.

Headset Communicators: When you have a team of three or more people headset communicators are a great idea for staying in contact when spread out. You can use the hand held walkie-talkies but the headset frees up your hands for holding cameras etc. They will run in the price range of $30 to $80 a piece. I've seen good sets that work up to a distance of 100 yards for 40 dollars.

Spot Lights: Small battery powered spot lights really help at night when it comes to setting up and taking down cameras and other equipment. They can also be used for safety and to get a better view of the surrounding terrain at night. Get the lights that sit on the ground but have swivels on the lights to set them to different angles. Plan on getting between 2 and 6 spot lights depending on your needs.

NOW WHAT?

Get Permission:

Okay, you have the equipment, now what? Now you need a place to go and permission to go there. Always get permission before entering any location at night! This will save a lot of hassle later, believe me! Most police are pretty understanding if you tell them you are doing some paranormal investigation and are willing to go by the police station first to give them your personal info and maybe a business card. But if they say no, be gracious, don't get ugly. There are a LOT of differing opinions out there about ghosts. Don't expect everyone to agree with you!

Before dark:

Once you have permission, you should go to the location during the day before heading out at night. This is for safety reasons as well as to get some base line readings. If using a thermometer, compass or an EMF detector, you should go during the day and make a rough map of the place on paper. Get some baseline readings and look around for electrical wires or appliances that would cause the readings to change. Make note of these things on your map so you will remember those things later on. People tend to turn nothing into something when nerves are on edge at 2am. If you your baselines documented you are less likely to record something as paranormal when it really wasn't.

When do you do the investigation?

Ghost pictures have been taken in the middle of the day, so it's hard to give an exact time. But you are the most likely to get some paranormal activity between the hours of 11 pm and 4 am. This has to do with the geomagnetic fields and solar activities during these hours. But like I said before, I've been out at 9 pm and gotten just as much activity as I did at 3 am.... I think it really depends on the level of paranormal activity at the site. You should, however, check out the activity of the solar x-rays and the geomagnetic fields. Look for geomagnetic storms and solar flares as these seem to increase paranormal activity.

Solar X-rays:

Geomagnetic Field:

From n3kl.org

When you arrive for an investigation:

Set up all of your equipment ahead of time if possible. If you haven't already done so, take some baseline temp and EMF readings. Be sure to look for any electrical wires or appliances that might affect your readings. When I first started, I used to just snap pictures by the hundreds and hope to get something. While we usually did get a few orbs or mists in the pictures, it made for a LOT of sorting time when you get home. I recommend using your EMF detector and thermometer as you walk around the area, then if you detect any changes, take pictures then. If you are investigating an outside area, remember that dust can appear as orbs in photographs. Try to let the dust settle before taking any pictures. You should hang around the area for 20 minutes before taking any photographs and then ask the ghosts for permission before taking their picture. It may sound silly, but ask them to stand in front of you for a picture. It has worked for me. If you are taking an EVP recording, have the external microphone attached to avoid getting too much motor noise. Tell the ghosts that you have a recorder that can pick up their voice even if others can't hear them. Ask a few questions and leave some silent time (20-30 seconds) between them. One of the questions that I almost always get an answer to is: "Is there anyone left here that you would like me to talk to for you?". The second most successful question that I ask is "What would have liked to tell your loved ones before you left this world?" Listen very carefully later and you might hear some amazing things! If you have a voice editor on your computer, it helps to filter some of the white noise and makes the EVP easier to understand. There are hundreds of people who will tell you a hundred different ways to do an investigation. A lot of it depends on what you want to accomplish. The main thing is to be respectful, be careful, and try to eliminate any false paranormal activity.

Be sure to remove your camera strap and make sure your fingers are not in the view of the picture.

Never hunt when it is too windy, snowing, or raining as you might get some false orb pictures.

Always ask permission to take pictures and thank them when you leave.

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