In fact, almost every source researched for this article that claims belief in the paranormal authenticity of photographic orbs had a money-making agenda such as selling a book, a subscription, a conference enrollment, or promoting a TV program. In fact, orb photographs became so prolific that at least one paranormal association, the Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society (GHRS), stopped accepting them as proof of paranormal activity 2.Īlthough it is comforting to believe that the spirits of our dearly departed live on in these small balls of light, both skeptics 3, 5 and many ghost hunters 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 agree that photographic orbs are most often, if not always, caused by natural elements such as dust, pollen, or water vapor. Ghost hunters, eager to prove their locations were haunted, zealously brought photographic orbs to public attention, claiming that orbs or 'ectos' were spirits made visible in their photos. The orb became popular as more than an anomalous spot. When digital cameras became popular in the early '90s, ghost hunters and other paranormal investigators were able to quickly take dozens of pictures in a single location. While most orbs appear spherical, other shapes have been reported such as diamonds, rectangles and smears. Occasionally they have been observed moving in video footage. Orbs usually appear in digital still photography when a flash is used-they are rare in daylight and with film photography. However, orbs were first noticed at about the time that the pocket camera with built-in flash hit the market 5. 'Ghosts' have been appearing in photographs almost since George Eastman introduced celluloid film for portable cameras during the 1880s.

What are light orbs in videos