Ghost hunting tips

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless. Knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
This chapter is designed to help you avoid common mistakes that some people make during investigations. Mistakes can not only create false positive images in your photos but can also limit your success. These tips may seem more like common sense. Honestly…they are common sense that are easily overlooked. See what you could be doing wrong.

The location
You may want to try daytime investigations. If you do take part in a daytime investigation use a flash to illuminate the paranormal activity even when there is an abundance of light. You can achieve some good results with day time investigations as well as night time ones. When investigating keep an open mind and have fun but be respectful. Spirits will seldom allow themselves to be photographed if you are not respectful. The best times to conduct investigations are from 9pm to 6am. These are the psychic hours but any time can produce results. Photos have historically been better in the dark but don't let that discourage you from taking them during the day.

Photography
Routinely clean your camera lenses. The port of your camera lens can become stained with fingerprints, dust, dirt and dried water spots. A quick cleaning and cautious handling of your camera can reduce these problems. Make sure you only clean the lens between rolls of film. Never clean it in the middle of a roll. If dust or a water droplet is on the lens, it will show up in more than one picture in the same spot. By not cleaning in mid-roll you will be able to distinguish water droplets from anomalies. Although taking photos in the rain on investigations is not recommended there are times when it is unavoidable. Protect your camera from water droplets as much as possible. Rain, sneezing and coughing can assist in the accumulation of droplets on your lens. These droplets can create a globule effect on the film. The best way to minimize this is to protect the camera lens. Condensation can occur when you get out of your nice warm car and step into a cold cemetery. Give your camera a little time to adjust to the change of environment. A few minutes to allow condensation to evaporate and a brief lens clean will eliminate lens fog. Avoid reflective surfaces. Mirrors, glass and other shiny surfaces direct your cameras flash back at you. These surfaces should not be photographed head on. Instead take pictures of reflective surfaces from an angle. This will reduce some common film problems.

Make sure you have the correct grip on your camera. A common mistake is that people put their finger in front of the lens when they raise the camera. Be aware of how you hold your camera when taking pictures.

Hooded Jackets. Make sure you wear clothing that does not have any type of tie. This applies to hoods that have laces to tighten them. The laces can get in the way of your camera lens, especially if you are taking a photo in a downward direction.

Lights. On many occasions it is unavoidable to take photos without getting a natural light source in the frame. When this occurs make sure you document what light sources are around you in case they show up in the photo. Street lights, lanterns, flashlights, cars and aeroplanes can work their way into your photos.

Cameras
Remove the lens cap! Simple but you would be surprised at how many people forget!
It is advisable to take two cameras on an investigation. It’s always good to have a backup. Some investigators us one automatic focus camera and one fixed focus loaded with 400 and 800 speed colour film.

Set you camera for the least amount of zoom or for a wide angle shot to cover a lot of area in each shot. Some investigators use digital cameras and swear by them and others prefer a 35mm camera

If you are using a digital camera it can be used as an effective tool to locate hot spots of activity without spending a fortune on film. You can then go back and verify that you get similar results with a film camera. Negatives are concrete and easier to verify and examine. On your photos look for orbs, mists and streaks of light. Look closely so that you don’t miss faint orbs. Look for faces or shapes of figures where they don’t belong.

Film
Choosing the right type of film. Before choosing any film for your camera it is worth noting that Kodak Gold 400 ASA film seems to get the best results. Kodak Gold 800 ASA film is a common choice amongst experienced paranormal investigators. Use the highest speed film you can find for best results. 400 speed is the usual recommendation. For Digital Cameras use the highest resolution that your camera is capable of. Some may decide to use black and white film. If their budget allows for it they may use infrared film. Infrared film costs more per roll of film and is more expensive to develop too.

Loading your film. Load your film at the investigation site. It is theorized by some paranormal investigators that doing this increases your chances of a spirit "imprinting" an image on your film.

Film development. If you plan to get your film developed at your local photo shop, make sure they know that you want all of the photos developed "as is". Many photo labs will only return films that they see as quality images. What they won’t realise is that they may be disposing of a good anomalous image.

Equipment
Know your equipment. The most important rule about equipment is to make sure you know how to use your equipment properly before you conduct an investigation. Experimenting with equipment on site looks disorganized and dark conditions are hardly a good place to learn about your equipment.

EMF Detectors. EMF meters detect the electro-magnetic fields often associated with spirits and paranormal activity. Remember that EMF's are not exclusive to the paranormal. If the EMF meter detects something the possibility of an electrical source must be ruled out. Appliances, televisions, digital alarm clocks and power lines all emit EMF's while they are in use. To get yourself acquainted with your EMF meter try scanning your home. Put it close to the television set while it is on and off. When you get a reading scan to see how far the EMF extends away from the television set. EMF readings can also guide you where to take the pictures. If you get a good reading on the EMF meter take a few pictures. Spirits are known to affect any type of electronic equipment. Any disturbance you get that cannot be dismissed by normal causes could possibly be something paranormal. Try to go over the area several times and see if any readings changes.

When scanning for spirits don't just hold the device in your hand. Put your detector into the area you wish to scan. Make sure you scan headstones, chairs, couches, corners, closets and anywhere you think a spirit might go. Move your meter in all directions while scanning. Don't just put the meter in a closet momentarily. Scan the closet top to bottom and left to right.

Recording devices. Audio recorders are a method of obtaining EVP's, electronic voice phenomena. EVP's are difficult to capture on tape. To increase your chances purchase a recording device that has a microphone separate from the frame. Microphones that are in frame tend to record noise generated from internal motors and turning wheels. A detached microphone will significantly minimize this type of unwanted noise. Place your recorder in an area where activity is suspected to occur. Record when no one will be present whilst the device is running. Sometimes if you ask spirits questions they will respond. You may hear something you didn't expect when you play the tape back. You can set up the recorder and let it record until it runs out of tape. You can then listen to the playbacks and see if you can hear any faint voices or odd sounds that were not present during the recording.

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP). When recording for EVP's make sure that all of the investigators present speak in a normal tone of voice. No one should ever whisper while recording for EVP's. On the other hand, constant chatter should be avoided too. Speak only when necessary and in a normal manner. This will help you distinguish an EVP from people present at the investigation.

Temperature reading tools. If you are going to take temperature readings at an investigation a digital thermometer is advised. They keep a memory of the highest and lowest monitored temperatures and most are equipped with alarms. They also take measurements several times a minute. The alarm feature lets you know when sudden and drastic temperature changes occur and allows you to focus your attention elsewhere. Infrared laser scanners are available but are a more expensive option for instant temperature readings. A point-and-shoot device that detects temperature differences using infrared technology is highly accurate and convenient.

Thermal scanner. When using your thermal scanner remember that some surfaces may read colder in temperature. In winter, windows, doors and any other surface exposed to the elements will show a significant drop in temperature. Lights, appliances and radiators will show as heat sources. Always rule out the obvious before accepting the unobvious!

Flashlights. There is no doubt that your investigations will definitely include dark places. Cemeteries, old buildings without electricity and battlefields will require you to have a portable light source.

Compass. If you cannot afford an EMF meter you can use a compass to detect magnetic fields. A spirit anomaly will usually tilt the needle at least 30 degrees off Magnetic North. Again, remember to rule out all possible electrical sources.

Miscellaneous
Batteries. Often batteries mysteriously lose their charge at investigations. It is recommended that you bring an extra set of batteries for each piece of equipment that requires them.

Tote bag. No more last-minute scrambling. This allows all your equipment to be conveniently placed and always ready to use at a moments notice.

Open mind. An open mind is the paranormal investigators greatest asset. Keep an open mind when conducting an investigation. It could mean the difference between results and disappointment.

Survey the area. It is advisable to survey the area where you will be conducting your investigation. Familiarize yourself with the environment and possible hazards during daylight hours.

Early arrival. Allow yourself extra time to spend on site before you commence the investigation. This provides spirits with the chance to familiarize themselves with you.

Trespassing. Before you embark on any investigation make sure you are not trespassing on private property. Trying to explain to a police officer that you are doing research holds no weight at all. Telling him you are hunting for spirits will only give him an amusing story to tell his fellow officers. The consequences of trespassing could be more than expected. You could be subjected to a fine and/or imprisonment, a criminal record and damage to your organization's reputation which could put your team out of commission for a while. Always get permission before entering private property. You can either have the owner with you as an escort or have them sign a contract granting permission. Remember the three P’s: Protect yourself. Protect your organization. Protect other paranormal investigators. What one paranormal investigation team does reflects on all paranormal investigators.

Ready for the investigation
So you have everything packed and all your gear is in order...or is it? Have a look down this list and see if you really are ready to go on the investigation.

ALWAYS carry identification such as a driver’s license in case you are stopped by authorities. Carrying identification means you can prove who you are.

ALWAYS visit the site you plan on investigating in the daylight prior to the investigation so you can familiarize yourself with any obstacles or dangerous spots you may not notice in the dark.

NEVER TRESPASS! If a No Trespassing sign is posted ANYWHERE do not enter that area. This is a violation of the law and the law will send you to jail, give you a fine or both. It is possible to get permission from the owners if you are truly interested in a particular site. To find the owner of a location you can check with the local Tax Assessors' Office.

LEAVE IMMEDIATELY if you are asked to leave a location. This is a non-negotiable situation that you will not win. If you refuse you risk damaging the integrity of your investigation and other paranormal investigations.

NEVER GO ALONE! Common sense says you should never investigate a site by yourself. If something happened to you how would you get help? It is also advisable to have another person there as a witness to verify your findings. Avoid all areas that are potentially dangerous including condemned areas and parts of town with reputations for violence.

CARRY THE ESSENTIALS The essentials include warm clothing, a flashlight and backup flashlight with extra batteries, a tape recorder and supply of tapes, a camera, a logbook, a compass to detect magnetic fields and a tote bag to keep all of your equipment organised and together.

ASSIGN SOMEONE in your group to record all details of your investigation. Details to record include who is participating, changes in temperature, weather, location, date and time of any activity that may occur as well as who witnessed them. Make sure you walk through the site beforehand to record the thoughts and feelings that your team members may be getting from the site.

LEARN THE HISTORY Research the history of the site you are about to investigate. Knowledge is power and if you familiarize yourself with the people and events that took place it can be helpful in your investigation. You can check newspapers, the Internet or contact the local Historical Society to find information about most areas.

INTERVIEW If you happen to meet someone with a ghost story about the location you’re investigating, interview them and log all information. See if any of the experiences are repeated on your investigation and if the location of the activity is the same. Knowing where activity has previously taken place can guide you as to where is the best place to begin your investigation.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FEELINGS! Concentrating on your equipment too much can prevent you from picking up energy from a spirit. It may prevent the spirit from contacting you. Use your senses. This is one of the most effective tools you can use to communicate with spirit entities. Keep an open mind and avoid any preoccupied thoughts or negative feelings that may interfere with your perception as this will drive spirits away. Never take drugs or drink alcohol before an investigation. This will cloud your perception and ability. It will also damage your credibility

DO NOT WEAR PERFUME OR AFTERSHAVE Spirits use certain scents and smells to get our attention. Any noticeable scent you or a team member may be wearing could easily be mistaken for a supernatural occurrence