Marks Camera Tips
Digital Cameras for Paranormal Research and General Photography
Digital cameras offer many advantages for the would be paranormal
researcher and a few disadvantages in comparison to conventional film
cameras. The advantages include ease of use, instant access to the
images, ability to see into the infrared spectrum, general small size, and the
ability to storage large numbers of images. Another advantage of digital
cameras is they usually are nearly dust proof. What I mean by dust proof is
that with a conventional camera you have to open it up to change film often in
dirty dusty conditions exposing the shutter, inside of the lens and optical
mirror and other parts to the elements. To change media in a digital camera
you open up a slot in the side or bottom and stick in a new card, the
important parts remain sealed. The main disadvantages to digital cameras
to my mind are lack of a negative (though this is not that big of a deal) and
quality of the image (with digital images in the 5megapixel range or higher
this is not an issue either). Most of the less expensive digitals there is an
almost complete lack of exposure control, its point and shoot. Now that I think
about it another advantage to digital over film is there are far fewer variables
from click to image. With film cameras because of the loading of the film
(which can change from lot to lot and manufacturer to manufacturer) and the
processing and printing of said film there are a huge number of ways to get
false images. So is it a ghost or is it a light leak, fogged film, bad processing,
defective photo paper, rookie goof up at the one hour photo? You see what I
mean about variables? You don’t have this with digital cameras.
The following are some tips for using digital cameras for paranormal
research and general photography. Number 1 keep the lens and various
sensors clean at all times. I know I said that digitals are inherently dust proof,
that is only the inside not the outside. Keep a lens cloth or a can of
compressed air with you at all times while taking pictures. Check the lens in
between shots and clean it as often as you can. Keep all strong sources of
light behind the camera or off to the side to avoid the possibility of lens flair
and poor exposure due to the cameras sensors being confused. Use the
flash only when you have to, thus avoiding mysterious reflections from the
flash. If you do have to use the flash and your camera has several different
flash settings try all of them and none at all for the same photo subject area.
Get the biggest memory card you can afford so you can take as many
pictures as you want, the more you take the better your chances of getting
some very good ones. Most digitals allow you to take pictures at several
different resolutions, use this higher setting your camera has even though
you get fewer pictures the quality of the image makes up for it. When you
download the pictures from the camera or media card make two copies. One
copy is an archive, change them to read only or burn them to a CD, do
nothing else to them at all. The second copy is the ones for you to blow up,
crop or otherwise tinker with in Photoshop or whatever software you want to
use.
Digital cameras offer many advantages for the would be paranormal
researcher and a few disadvantages in comparison to conventional film
cameras. The advantages include ease of use, instant access to the
images, ability to see into the infrared spectrum, general small size, and the
ability to storage large numbers of images. Another advantage of digital
cameras is they usually are nearly dust proof. What I mean by dust proof is
that with a conventional camera you have to open it up to change film often in
dirty dusty conditions exposing the shutter, inside of the lens and optical
mirror and other parts to the elements. To change media in a digital camera
you open up a slot in the side or bottom and stick in a new card, the
important parts remain sealed. The main disadvantages to digital cameras
to my mind are lack of a negative (though this is not that big of a deal) and
quality of the image (with digital images in the 5megapixel range or higher
this is not an issue either). Most of the less expensive digitals there is an
almost complete lack of exposure control, its point and shoot. Now that I think
about it another advantage to digital over film is there are far fewer variables
from click to image. With film cameras because of the loading of the film
(which can change from lot to lot and manufacturer to manufacturer) and the
processing and printing of said film there are a huge number of ways to get
false images. So is it a ghost or is it a light leak, fogged film, bad processing,
defective photo paper, rookie goof up at the one hour photo? You see what I
mean about variables? You don’t have this with digital cameras.
The following are some tips for using digital cameras for paranormal
research and general photography. Number 1 keep the lens and various
sensors clean at all times. I know I said that digitals are inherently dust proof,
that is only the inside not the outside. Keep a lens cloth or a can of
compressed air with you at all times while taking pictures. Check the lens in
between shots and clean it as often as you can. Keep all strong sources of
light behind the camera or off to the side to avoid the possibility of lens flair
and poor exposure due to the cameras sensors being confused. Use the
flash only when you have to, thus avoiding mysterious reflections from the
flash. If you do have to use the flash and your camera has several different
flash settings try all of them and none at all for the same photo subject area.
Get the biggest memory card you can afford so you can take as many
pictures as you want, the more you take the better your chances of getting
some very good ones. Most digitals allow you to take pictures at several
different resolutions, use this higher setting your camera has even though
you get fewer pictures the quality of the image makes up for it. When you
download the pictures from the camera or media card make two copies. One
copy is an archive, change them to read only or burn them to a CD, do
nothing else to them at all. The second copy is the ones for you to blow up,
crop or otherwise tinker with in Photoshop or whatever software you want to
use.
Addition by Wayne
topic Infrared Illuminates
A digital camera is sensitive in the ir range but requires a
source of infrared light to take pictures in total darkness. A
simple e-bay search will reveal several types from hand held
ones to 72 led monsters. LED stands for light emitting diodes .
They put out light in the infrared range invisible to the human eye
The other type of equipment good for night photography is Flir
equipment. This is the same gear that you see police and the
military use at night. It is cost prohibitive for most of us but if
you can afford it it's great. It uses thermal detection.
There are many other methods for night photography , by use of
film types and shutter speeds and exposures pictures can be
taken at night with regular cameras. The only thing you have to
do is the work. There are many sites on the web with lots of
help in night photography.
topic Infrared Illuminates
A digital camera is sensitive in the ir range but requires a
source of infrared light to take pictures in total darkness. A
simple e-bay search will reveal several types from hand held
ones to 72 led monsters. LED stands for light emitting diodes .
They put out light in the infrared range invisible to the human eye
The other type of equipment good for night photography is Flir
equipment. This is the same gear that you see police and the
military use at night. It is cost prohibitive for most of us but if
you can afford it it's great. It uses thermal detection.
There are many other methods for night photography , by use of
film types and shutter speeds and exposures pictures can be
taken at night with regular cameras. The only thing you have to
do is the work. There are many sites on the web with lots of
help in night photography.
Training 2
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