51 blog articles found.
I am interested in the paranormal, how can I get involved?
You have an interest in the paranormal and want to do more, but you don't know where to start. Here are some tips on how you can take your interest further.
Purkinje's Spectre
We know that our eyes play tricks on us in different levels of light. The Purkinje Effect is just another example of why we need to be aware of optical illusions when investigating the paranormal.
Paranormal Glossary
Glossary of common paranormal terms
When nothing happens ... the learnings of a quiet investigation
The reality is that paranormal investigating can be boring, especially if nothing happens. This doesn't however mean the night was a failure. There is much we can learn from a 'quiet' investigation.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
There is a medical condition known as Charles Bonnet Syndrome where people who are losing their sight start seeing ghosts, aliens and other strange beings. While a person is mentally sound, this condition causes them to hallucinate and see things that are not really there. Some believe this impairment allows a person a glimpse into a dimension we cannot see. Is it all just a hallucination?
What is psychic ability?
A look at psychic ability and the different kinds.
Resources to help with your paranormal research
Paranormal research goes much further than attending a paranormal investigation. If you want to delve into paranormal research but not quite sure where to start, here are my tips and resources where you can dive right in at your own pace!
The 2%
Peter Underwood once said “98% of reported hauntings have a natural and mundane explanation … it is the other 2% that have interested me for over 40 years.”. While there are things we can't necessarily explain, we also must remember that not everything is paranormal.
Being sensitive to different cultures and the deceased’s privacy during paranormal investigations
When conducting an investigation, it is important to discuss with the venue what you can and cannot disclose out of respect for the deceased and their families.
Stigmas of the paranormal
There are a lot of stigmas associated with the paranormal. Let's start to break down two of the most popular ones by understanding their true nature, without the embellishment from Hollywood.
Apports, Asports and JOTT
Apports and Asports are two different sets of paranormal phenomena which are the opposite of one another. Both are considered to be a form of paranormal teleportation which were usually demonstrated during spiritualist seances and are a part of physical mediumship demonstrations. Is it an act of the medium or can spirits make items appear or disappear? Could this be related to what we know as the JOTT phenomena?
New interview with Strange Encounters Down Under
I recently sat down for a chat with the team from Strange Encounters Down Under
The false positives of paranormal equipment
More than ever, people are using a range of devices to measure their surroundings in the hope of detecting something paranormal. Here are some of the common things that can cause a false positive reading.
Stuff Paranormal Investigators Need To Know Volume 2: My brain is the key that sets me free
Stuff Paranormal Investigators Need To Know Volume 2: My brain is the key that sets me free is now available worldwide! Here is some more info about my latest book!
Do we cast people into paranormal stereotypes?
Do we cast people into paranormal stereotypes? Are we implicitly bias towards the different stereotypes within the paranormal field?
Tips to help with your paranormal research
It can be really daunting when you want to start researching the paranormal and you don't know where to start. Here are my tips to help you out!
Experiences of JOTT
I asked you to submit your experiences with JOTT: where an item goes mysteriously missing and comes back. Here are some of those stories!
Pepper’s Ghost
Pepper's Ghost is a trick illusionists use to project an image. It is similar to the way a hologram works and is essentially a case of reflection. When you take a photo from inside a car or from behind a window, you could be photographing your own version of Pepper's Ghost!
Things to look for when analysing a photo
I get asked from time to time what tools I use to analyse photos so I thought it would be helpful to share the information for those who like to go a little bit deeper when looking at a photo. Have a read and then tell me your tips for reviewing photos!
Light anomalies you see with your own eyes
There is a big debate in the paranormal field when it comes to orbs. We cannot trust what we capture on film or video if we didn't see it with our own eyes. So what about light anomalies that people do see with their own eyes? Let's explore the different reasons why we may see balls of lights with our own eyes.
Slow Shutter speeds and paranormal photos
Do you have what you think is a blurry apparition in your photo? What about those coloured rods? It is likely a case of motion blur due to a slow shutter speed. What can you do to avoid motion blur on your photos? Here is why it happens in your photos and how to avoid it!
Lights On VS Lights Off - Daytime VS Night time
Why do we fall over ourselves in the dark when we can investigate with the lights on? Why do we investigate at night when we can investigate during the day? I compare the two and look at the pros and cons.
Painting with light to create a ghostly photo
Often people think that the only way to deliberately fake a 'ghost' photo is to use photoshop or some kind of ghost app. It is actually something that can be achieved in a few different ways, by using a slow shutter. I am going to show you a technique called 'painting with light' which can be used to give a 'ghostly' effect
Blindfold Experiments
Introducing a blindfold to your paranormal investigations induces sensory deprivation and can give some interesting results. Here are some ways you can use a blindfold on your investigations! What ideas do you have or what have you tried when using a blindfold during a paranormal investigation?
Do spirits communicate with us during dreams?
It has long been said by many that believe in spirits that they feel they can communicate with us or give us messages through our dreams. Let's look at the different dream states and their claimed connections with spirit visitation. Are they just dreams, or something more?
How to investigate the paranormal with no electronic equipment
Let's look at the different things you can do to investigate the paranormal, without all the electronic devices.
Residual VS Intelligent Haunting
Investigators often like to label a potential 'haunting' as either residual or intelligent. What do these mean and how do you tell the difference?
The Stone Tape Theory
What is the stone tape theory? Is it connected to residual hauntings?
Bats and Frequency
Bats use echolocation to communicate and navigate with one another. As the sound is ultrasonic, it is not something we hear with our own ears. If you are doing an investigation outside, could a digital recorder pick up these ultrasonic sounds which are then confused with something paranormal?
The Scientific Method
A lot of investigators (myself in the past included) often advertise that we take a scientific approach to paranormal investigation, usually because we use equipment. When you compare this to the actual scientific method, are we really being that scientific just because we have a gadget? What is the scientific method and how can we apply it to paranormal investigating?
The old school tricks of deception - Rapping
During the spiritualist era starting in the mid 1800's, there was a new interest in people trying to make contact with their loved ones through seance. Sadly, a lot of the mediums performing these seances were frauds and used some very creative tricks of deception to convince their audience that they were the real deal. Let's explore some of the techniques that were used to recreate rapping and how we can be mindful during modern day paranormal investigating.
Live streaming during paranormal investigations – Do’s and Don'ts!
Live streams are fast becoming a popular tool for investigators for lots of reasons and like anything can be good and bad. Here are some tips for a great live stream! What are your do's and don'ts?
Disembodied voices
There are a lot of fancy terms to describe certain paranormal experiences. One of those is a 'disembodied voice'. What exactly is it? Is it different to EVP? What are some explanations for this phenomena? I look at it from a few different angles to get you up to speed.
Effectiveness of baseline readings
While we do prep work and baseline readings before an investigation, does doing this during the day and investigating at night or even on a different day affect these results? How should we work with our baselines?
Ethics, grief and the paranormal.
Just because we can, should we? In an unregulated industry, there are certain things we need to stay away from. While it can be a bit of fun for some, there are people that are grieving or protective of family members who have passed away that we need to be considerate of. How soon is too soon?
Paranormal 'Hot spots' and their influence on investigations
When investigating a property or location, an investigator usually asks for the 'Hot Spots'. Why is activity focused to one particular area and does this information influence the way we conduct our investigations? More to the point, should it?
Misconceptions of a mobile phone
Catching orbs without a flash, night vision and thermal imaging filters, ghost apps and digital recordings. These are often used in conjunction with smartphones and wrongly misunderstood. This is breaking down some of the misconceptions when it comes to using your smartphone for paranormal investigating. Remember a phone was not designed to be a 'ghost hunting' tool.
Cold spots and the paranormal
One of the common theories amongst paranormal investigators is that cold spots could mean something paranormal is occurring or is about to happen. What natural explanations can cause us to feel these cold spots and what is the best way to measure them? Do you believe a cold spot means there is a spirit around or is it something else?
Atmospheric pressure and the paranormal
Doors opening on their own, barometric pressure readings dropping, ears popping, a faint feeling or that feeling like you are rocking on boat are often thought to be signs that something paranormal may be happening. While this may be the case, it more likely to be a change in atmospheric pressure.
Using white noise in paranormal investigations
What is white noise and what can it be used for? What do people use it for in paranormal investigations? Here is all you need to know about white noise.
Analog VS Digital Recorders ... Which is better for paranormal investigating
Old school investigators swear by their analog recorders and magnetic tape while new school investigators like the convenience of a digital recorder. So which is better for paranormal investigating? I look at the pros and cons
Understanding the basics of EXIF Data for reviewing paranormal photos
When reviewing photos, we are always telling people to look at the EXIF data because it is a valuable tool for understanding the conditions in which a photo was taken. I explain what the EXIF Data is, how to access it and how to read it when reviewing photos'
Digital VS Film Photography .... Which is Better?
Digital VS Film. Which is better for paranormal investigating? Is one more reliable than the other? I look at the pros and cons of both.
Top tips for paranormal investigating
With the help of my Living Life in Full Spectrum followers, I have compiled a list of top tips for paranormal investigating! Thanks to all who contributed.
Regardless of your views, you must be respectful!
We all have different opinions, but respect is key. If you go into a location being disrespectful to their wishes, it can cause damage to the field because they might just close the doors to everyone else.
Poltergeists
No doubt you have come across the term 'Poltergeist' during your investigating travels. What does it mean? What is a typical 'poltergeist' haunting and can it be attributed to pre teen hormones?
Activity occurs any time of day (even when the sun is out!)
While as investigators we investigate at night for a variety of reasons, phenomena is reported to occur at all times of day. If you are investigating the paranormal, there is also no rule you have to turn the lights off.
EVP Burst Sessions
All about EVP Burst sessions
Finding a venue for your next paranormal investigation
Want to investigate a new location but don't know where to start?
EVP - What does it mean and how do I capture one?
You hear the term EVP thrown around a lot but what does it mean and how can I catch one?
Just because it's called ghosting doesn't make it paranormal
Not all orbs are dust. Some are the results of a photography term called ghosting which is really a form of lens flare. Here is all you need to know about ghosting and how to spot it and why it appears in your photos. The most important thing to note is just because it is called ghosting by photographers, doesn't mean it is paranormal!