home > research > capturing the spirit - an examination of photographic anomalies

We do not intend to consider the many anomalous photographs that show recognisable human/animal figures. Such photographs, like the famous Wem photograph, which appears to show a very vivid image of a young girl on the fire escape of the local town hall (a case we investigated), we believe fall into a different category of anomalous photograph to the ones that have been generally labelled "spiral energy". In general the "spiral energy" photographs depict "streaks" of a mainly white substance (although occasionally other colours are reported) intruding across a photograph. These "streaks"' generally arc across the photograph and may even appear semi transparent-in parts. Many, upon closer examination appear to be made of spirals or coils.

Photographic anomalies are like everything else, subject to cultural interpretation.

Click for more on William Mumler

It wasn't long after the birth of Spiritualism in the 1800s that early photographic pioneers were inviting sitters to have their photographs taken along with "spirit extras". These photographs were obviously a product of social conditions. The most famous of the early "spirit" photographers was William Mumler who, in the 1860s, became one of the most prolific photographers of sitters with "spirit" extras. Increased industrialisation and emphasis on materialistic science had earlier moved Keats to memorably write that Newton had unweaved the rainbow. Magic was slowly perceived to be disappearing from the world. It could be argued (and has been) that Spiritualism was a reaction to this perceived loss of magic, and so could spirit photography. Believers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle championed "spirit" photography and in 1918 founded the Society for the Study of Supernatural Pictures. Since then, there has been a deeply ingrained belief among believers in the supernatural and the public at large that cameras can capture supernatural images, even those not seen at the time by the photographer. Here we see our new found faith in technology being used to reinforce our deep-rooted spiritual desires. Even today you will find many psychical researchers who deny the existence of the paranormal experience unless it can be captured on film. This is not to deny that photographic anomalies exist, indeed they do. The photographic anomalies of the Victorians had recognisable "spirit" extras. Even a cursory glance through the annals of photographic anomalies shows that such photographs have changed over the years.

Photo showing a camera strap dangling in front of the lens

What appears to be a common element in more recent photographs are what have been described as "spiral energy". Without doubt, as any serious researcher will confirm, a large proportion of these photographs show camera straps of a kind familiar on most modern popular instamatic cameras. These straps, as shown by research, show up as mostly white or sometimes black "spirals" on films (1 and personal observation). They predominantly appear to "streak" across a photograph, sometimes appearing to fade out at one end. Camera strap photographs share something in common with what believers call "spiral energy" photographs, in that they never seem to show coloured "spirals", and none of them show "spiral energy" that does not appear/disappear off the edge of the photograph. If such photographs show "energy", it is intriguing why it never appears well-defined in the middle of the photograph? There are many photographs that appear to show "balls of light" (BOL) which are well-defined in the middle of photographs, but we are talking about a distinct difference here between "spiral"' and BOL photographs and the beliefs associated with them. These photographs have been called "Spirit Orbs", and feature predominantly on Internet sites associated with the paranormal. It has to be said that this phenomenon started with American-based Internet sites and the advent of camcorders and digital cameras. As far as this phenomenon is concerned, this should tell us all we need to know. The explanation is simple - inexperienced researchers with a preconceived belief system in what they are looking for misinterpret dust particles and insects blurred by being close to the lens.

Belief is an important element when considering these type of photographs. Those who propose a paranormal explanation for all these photographs consider them to be a form of Rossetta Stone, each with a hidden message waiting to be deciphered by those with the appropriate special knowledge. We should also ask the question why this phenomena is seldom captured on video, which has overtaken still photography as the most popular way to record images. Our own group, Parasearch, has held countless vigils in a variety of "haunted" locations up and down the country. Very few (if any at all!) of these result in anomalous images on film, although we have recently had some success in capturing anomalous images on video, although none of these show "spiral energy". There have also been attempts to explain what white and black "spirals" signify, but this is purely subjective symbolic retro-interpretation. Why, the question must also be asked, do we not have photographs of "spiral energy" taken before the 1950s? This is surely an indication of either an emerging new phenomenon or a modern, cultural belief system. If these "spirals" are a genuine energy phenomenon, are we perhaps seeing an emergence of a new form of phenomenon, and if so why and what does it mean? It is also interesting to note that in recent years, both investigators and mediums have ceased to talk about a person's soul or spirit trapped at a place, instead they talk about their "energy", as if this adds a certain amount of respectability to their claims.

As investigators of alleged paranormal experiences, we have come across several photographic anomalies from recognisable human "apparitions" to "spiral energy" photographs. We have yet ti come across any "spiral" photographs that fully defy any plausible explanations. Our research into this phenomenon suggests to us that if camera straps are not to blame, then tiny strands of human hair caught in front of the lens (even with SLR cameras) is an equally likely explanation. So what are these images? Thoughtography perhaps? Possible, but unlikely, after all this is not really an explanation, simply a convenient excuse used when we have no idea. An "energy"? If so, why is it only now appearing as "spirals" on modern cameras and video/CCTV?

Certainly a large proportion of these photographs are explainable. However, there seems to be a number that at the moment cannot be explained. Because something appears unexplained it does not mean it is unexplainable. It is easy and tempting to jump on the "paranormal" bandwagon, but we must be diligent and pursue every avenue of research with this most intriguing phenomenon. With camera and video technology advancing at a rapid rate, we must be careful that the technology does not run away with us. We are in danger here of encountering the same problem that befell UFOlogy in the early days. The media reported sightings, people became interested and so they started to watch the sky, something they had never done before. All of a sudden, they started noticing things in the sky that looked strange to them. Things that had always been there but which had only become interesting because our society and culture deemed them to be.

Today, with ever more books, magazines, TV programmes and Internet sites devoted to the paranormal, it is easy for a subject to be hyped, and as researchers we must take this into account and be careful we do not fall into the same trap.

Reference & Further Reading
(1) John & Anne Spencer, "Photographic Spirals", Anomaly Vol.18 May 1996
Cyril Permutt, "Beyond the Spectrum: A Survey of Supernormal Photography", PSL 1983
Simeon Edmunds, "Spirit Photography", SPR Publications Date unknown
Phil Walton, "Are Paranormal Photographs on the Increase", ASSAP News No.76 May 2000