Analyzing Pictures in Paranormal Investigation

🏠   |   🧭   |   Facebook

This is a summary of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR)'s guide to analyzing pictures in paranormal investigation.


Purpose

  • Extract reliable info from photos taken on-site or provided by witnesses.

  • Preserve evidence integrity and make your conclusions reproducible.

Golden Rule: Preserve the Original

  • Immediately make a working copy; archive the untouched original (external drive/cloud).

Forensic-Style Workflow

  • Create a folder per image.

  • Keep a change log (simple text file) in the same folder.

  • Edit one parameter at a time (exposure, contrast, etc.).

  • After each change, save as a new file with a clear name and log exactly what you did.

Third-Party Photos

  • Ask the sender: why was the photo taken, what they think it shows, where/when it was shot.

  • Check filename pattern (manufacturer-style vs. “ghostpic.jpg” → likely edited).

  • Compare claims with metadata (EXIF). If details don’t match, proceed cautiously and verify.

Metadata (EXIF) Basics

  • EXIF can reveal camera model, time/date, settings, and sometimes location.

  • Useful for checking flash use, shutter speed, and consistency with the account.

  • Caveat: EXIF can be edited or erased—treat as helpful, not infallible.

Viewing Tests (Blind)

  • Ask multiple independent people what they see—no leading prompts.

  • Avoid group sessions/social media (contagion of opinions).

  • Record “nothing seen” responses too; they matter.

Good Practice

  • Avoid random heavy edits; systematic, logged adjustments only.

  • Keep an open mind; consider normal causes first—genuinely anomalous images are rare.

  • If you think you have something significant, seek expert review (e.g., SPR) before publicity.

Quick Checklist

  • Original secured

  • Working copy + folder + change log

  • Stepwise edits saved with clear filenames

  • EXIF reviewed & compared to account

  • Blind viewing feedback recorded

  • Conclusions cautious, alternatives considered

For some tips to analyzing photos, read this informative article by the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP).


- C.E.

Go to...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

📌 What the Paranormal Is and What It Is Not

Image
🏠   |   🧭   |   What do we really mean when we say something is ‘paranormal’? Misunderstandings are common, and they affect how people talk about, research, and respond to the unexplained. Many people misunderstand what  “paranormal”  truly means. They assume it's anything weird, unscientific, or scary. But to think more clearly and discuss more meaningfully, we must separate the paranormal from things it is often confused with. Here’s a breakdown of the most common mix-ups and how to tell them apart. 1. Paranormal vs. Preternatural vs. Supernatural Paranormal Preternatural Supernatural Beyond current scientific explanation, but possibly explainable someday Rare, uncanny, or seemingly unnatural events that don't break natural law; also, something divine that occurs in nature Outside the laws of nature; divine, godly, or metaphysical Som...
Read more

Ano ang Pinagkaiba ng Paranormal Philippines sa ibang paranormal group?

Image
🏠   |   🧭   |   (former admins pic edited by Gemini AI) Gusto ng Paranormal Philippines na tulungang maunawaan ng mga Pilipino kung ano ba ang paranormal. Hindi kami isang grupo lang ng mga tao na gustong magexplore o maghanap lang ng tinatawag na "experience" ng thrill. Nais naming ipaunawa sa mga tao na ang mga taong nakakaranas ng paranormal ay hindi nasisiraan ng bait kundi nangangailangan ng tamang tulong. Hindi dapat maging tampulan ng tukso ang mga taong nakakaranas ng paranormal at hindi din dapat husgahan. Ang mga karanasang paranormal ay sanhi ng iba't-ibang bagay at layunin namin na ipaalam sa nakakaranas nito kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin upang matigil na ang nararanasan nilang ito.  ( former  admins actual pic) Layunin rin naming hubugin ang mga taong gustong yakapin ang kanilang karanasan para makatulong din sa ibang tao. Walang ibang makakaintindi sa mga taong nakaranas din ng mga naranasan namin. Kaya kami nandito para magb...
Read more

Pwede bang maging paranormal investigator kahit walang psychic abilities?

Image
🏠   |   🧭   |   Ans. Ang paranormal investigator ay mayroong common purpose or goals -> alamin ang totoo sa bawat kwento.  Halimbawa sinabi ng kapitbahay mo na may aswang sa bubong, lumabas ka at tiningnan ang bubong, ang ginawa mo ay matatawag nang -> paranormal investigation, dahil tinangka mo or inalam mo kung totoo ang kwento.  Walang batas na nagbabawal sa mga tao na maging paranormal investigator. Kahit sino naman ay pwede. Ang paranormal investigator at paranormal story teller ay MAGKAIBA, ang investigator inaalam niya ang katotohanan at naglalahad ng mga posibleng sanhi ng isang sitwasyon, ang story teller ay agad agad na NAGTUTURO ng sanhi ng isang sitwasyon kahit walang sapat na ebidensya, pinagbibintangan agad nila ang mga engkanto at sinasabing iyon daw ang gumawa ng pagkakasakit ng isang tao. Ang mga paranormal investigator ay mayroong ibat ibang level, or efficiency level, ito yung husay at galing nila na MATUKOY ang eksak...
Read more