Ghost Hunting Video Tips: Full Spectrum & Night Vision Techniques

The explosion of digital video in the early 2000s supercharged the exploration of ghost lore, making night vision and infrared technology more accessible to amateur ghost hunters. 

Since then, video has evolved from grainy guesses to high-definition observation, which serves as compelling evidence in the field. But with better quality comes bigger responsibility; 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 at haunted sites. 

Here’s what’s at play: 

Infrared (IR) Night Vision: Uses IR lights to illuminate a dark scene that is completely invisible to the naked eye. This technology is great for low-light capture but can reflect off dust or bugs, mimicking “orbs.” 

Full Spectrum Cameras: Capture light beyond normal human vision, including IR and UV. These cameras can reveal oddities not seen with the eye, but they also introduce more visual noise. 

Frame Rates & Shutter Speeds: A faster shutter can catch quick anomalies but reduces low-light performance. A lower frame rate increases blur, which can mislead interpretation. 

Compression Artifacts: Most cameras auto-compress video files, leading to 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 

Rojas, R. (2015). Ghost Hunting: True Science of Paranormal Investigation. 

Paranormal Lockdown Q&A Panels. (2018–2022). Field techniques discussion. 

IR & Full Spectrum Video Basics – GhostStop Knowledge Base [https://www.ghoststop.com/full-spectrum-camera-info/] 

National Geographic: “Do Orbs Mean Ghosts?” [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/ghost-orbs-science]