The explosion of digital video in the early 2000s supercharged this, making night vision and infrared more accessible to amateur ghost hunters.
Since then, video has evolved from grainy guesses to high-definition observation. But with better quality comes bigger responsibility, because your footage is only as credible as your setup.
🔬 The Science
Video equipment doesn’t detect ghosts. It detects light —visible and non-visible (IR and UV)—and motion. Paranormal phenomena often involve rapid temperature shifts, electromagnetic anomalies, or changes in the light spectrum, which certain cameras can capture indirectly.
Here’s what’s at play:
- Infrared (IR) Night Vision: Uses IR lights to illuminate a dark scene and is completely invisible to the naked eye. Great for low-light capture but can reflect off dust or bugs and mimic “orbs.”
- Full Spectrum Cameras: Capture light beyond normal human vision, including IR and UV. These can reveal oddities not seen with the eye—but also introduce more visual noise.
- Frame Rates & Shutter Speeds: A faster shutter can catch quick anomalies, but also reduces low-light performance. A lower frame rate increases blur, which can mislead interpretation.
- Compression Artifacts: Most cameras auto-compress video files, which can cause pixel smearing and false motion effects.
🧪 The Lab: Try It at Home
DIY Experiment: “Shadow Logic”
What you need:
- A basic IR or full-spectrum camera (or even a smartphone with night mode)
- A darkened room with a single controlled light source (lamp or LED)
- A notebook and stopwatch
Steps:
- Set up your camera aimed at a hallway, doorway, or corner.
- Turn on the controlled light and record for 2 minutes.
- Ask a neutral question (e.g. "Is anyone present?") and pause.
- Slowly turn off the light and continue recording for 3 minutes.
- Review footage for light shifts, flickers, or shadows.
- Repeat with a second camera from a different angle (if available) to rule out lens flares or reflections.
Goal: Familiarize yourself with how real-world lighting and motion behave on camera. The more you learn your gear, the less likely you are to misinterpret a trick of the light as a spectral guest.
🎛️ PIMN’s Camera Kit Essentials
Device and Why We Use It
- 4K Handycam with IR, Affordable, reliable IR capture with decent audio
- Addition of Rode shotgun microphone to enhance audio capture
- GoPro sportcam (modded for full spectrum)
- 4k IR Body Cams, easy to attach and capture the entire investigation hands free
- Tripods & Static Mounts, Essential for eliminating hand shake and false movement impressions
- IR and Full Spectrum lights (both onboard camera rigs and stationary in locations)
Always carry extra batteries and memory cards!
⚠️ Practical Use & Pitfalls
- The “Orb” Trap: Most floating orbs are dust, pollen, or insects illuminated by IR light close to the lens. Seriously, just say NO to Orbs.
- False Positives: Motion blur, camera auto-focus, and environmental light shifts can all produce seemingly supernatural effects.
- Lack of Context: Always note temperature, lighting conditions, and any reflective surfaces. A flashy mirror moment doesn’t mean a portal opened.
PIMN Protocol
When reviewing video, always:
- Log time stamps and notable phenomena
- Cross-reference with other data (EMF spikes, audio anomalies, team member logs)
- Rewatch with skeptics. They’ll see what your belief filter might miss.
🧾 References and Further Reading