During the heyday of spirit photography in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photographers used a variety of techniques and equipment to produce alleged photographs of ghosts and other paranormal entities. These techniques included double exposure, superimposition, and other forms of manipulation using film-based cameras and darkroom techniques.
Ectoplasm
Some spirit photographers also claimed to be able to produce “ectoplasm,” a supposed substance that was thought to be produced by the spirits of the deceased and that could be captured on film. In order to produce ectoplasm, some photographers used stage props, such as muslin or cheesecloth, which they claimed to be able to animate and shape into ghostly forms.
William H. Mumler
Spirit photography is a controversial practice that involves the use of photography to capture alleged images of spirits or ghosts. This type of photography emerged in the late 19th century and was popularized by William H. Mumler, who claimed to be able to photograph spirits of the deceased.
Double Exposure
There are several techniques and pieces of equipment that have been used in spirit photography over the years. One common technique is double exposure, in which a photographer takes a picture of a person or object and then rewinds the film and takes another picture on top of the first. This can be done intentionally or unintentionally, and can produce an image of a ghostly figure appearing to be present in the photograph.
Planchette
Another technique that has been used in spirit photography is the use of a “planchette,” a small device that is placed on top of a piece of paper and used to communicate with spirits. The planchette is believed to be guided by the spirits, and can be used to create written messages or drawings. Some spirit photographers have claimed to use this technique to produce images of ghosts or spirits on film.
Cameras
In addition to these techniques, spirit photographers have also used various types of equipment to try to capture images of spirits. This can include traditional film cameras, as well as digital cameras and even smartphones. Some photographers have claimed to use special filters or lenses to enhance their ability to capture spirit images, while others have used infrared or thermal cameras to try to detect the presence of spirits.
Today, with the widespread use of digital cameras and image editing software, it is easier than ever to manipulate photographs and produce fake images that appear to show paranormal phenomena. As a result, it is even more important to be skeptical of spirit photographs and to carefully examine them for signs of manipulation or trickery.