36 What is the best way to photograph a ghost? (Folklore / Ghost Stories)
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This article is from the Ghost Stories FAQ, by obiwan obiwan@best.com with numerous contributions by others.
36 What is the best way to photograph a ghost? (Folklore / Ghost Stories)
The following information was provided by David Fluker
(df0328@aol.com).
"If anyone out there is interested in attempting to photograph para-
normal activities or spirits, here is how to do it right!!
1. You need to purchase 35mm Kodak HIE-135/36 film. This is B&W
Infrared film used for this and other more scientific purposes. You
can either purchase the film at a local professional photo shop or
order it direct from Kodak at 1-800-242-2424 in Rochester, NY. The
roll costs around $10.00 each including shipping.
2. Once you have the film in your hot little hand, you need to ask
your friendly photo-pro at the shop for an 87 filter to use with it.
(if he/she doesn't know what this is, have them call the 800# above
and get Kodak to tell him/her.
** the reason for the 87 filter is to eliminate all existing light du-
ring photography and only to have the IR on the film. (Even though it
may be dark in a room, there is still existing light that will effect
your exposure so use the 87 filter!!)
3. Once you have captured you entity on film, either send the film
back to Kodak or get it processed at the best quality lab in your area.
It needs to be processed under three types...hc110, d19, or d76. The
best for supernatural purposes is d76 as this gives the most normal
overall exposure. You can also have it processed HC110 but this is a
much higher contrast index and used mainly for special scientific pro-
jects." <end quote from David Fluker>
In addition, David Chorley notes that HIE 135-36 needs to be loaded
and unloaded in a darkroom, because the little felt light trap is not
impervious to IR.
Yet more info provided by Joseph W. Metcalf:
1. HIE can not be used in cameras that have a "window" on the back to
see the film-type & exposures printed on the film cannister nor can it
be used in cameras that use an infrared film-transport sensor or IR
focus system. (In other words, get out the old manual-everything SLR.
(In addition, I would be very wary of using HIE in cheaper point-and-
shoot type cameras. The light seals just ain't all that great.)
2. Some type of plastic developing tanks can leak IR light. The best
bet for developing is Kodalux or a major pro lab. Find a lab that you
trust and ask questions!
3. The #87 filter will completely block visual light. A #25 (red)
filter can also be used with HIE to block everything except the red-
visual and infrared spectrum. (Makes focusing a bit easier if you have
the light to work with.) HIE is also sensitive to UV light and can
get the same type of haze from ultraviolet as daylight film does.
HIE with the #87 filter can be used to photograph through fog (or
darkness, of course.) It is possible that anything similar to fog
could transmit the IR light instead of reflecting it and would not
show up on the film.
4. A flash will work with HIE, although I think it would be most
effective for this application with an #87 filter of it's own. (We
wouldn't want to scare anyone away.)
5. There is no recommended film speed for HIE. A good starting point
is 50 or 100 ASA for D-76 processing. A test roll, with exposures
logged, is recommended.
6. IR light requires a focus adjustment from visible light. Some
manual-focus cameras will have an infrared focus mark to indicate the
offset. If not, experiment. The difference is small, but it could be
significant.
7. HIE has a "salt and pepper" grain. It is a nice artistic effect,
but the resolution is not the same as conventional films.
8. And, yes, the film is light green!
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