DIGITAL CAMERAS One big advantage that a digital camera has over a conventional one is that it eliminates the need to use film, which can work out expensive. However, we never use them unless used in tandem with standard film cameras, as in our opinion digital cameras do have one great disadvantage in respect of recording creditable evidence for our type of research. Let's give an example as to why. You are on a vigil and observe an anomaly, which you manage to capture on your camera. You then get your film developed and when the lab sends back your photographs, ‘bingo’ you have at least one great shot of the ghost. Show them to your team and all will celebrate the ‘capture’, however there will be many others falling over themselves to shout “it's a fake, prove it isn't”. Any evidence gathered in your research will only count if it can be authenticated, so how can that be done with a photograph? For your photograph to have any creditability as a valid piece of scientific evidence it must undergo very close scrutiny by photographic experts. For this they will need not only the photo but also more importantly the negative which is far more important to them than the print. As digital cameras do not use film this vital element of proof will be missing. Furthermore, however authentic a digital image is, the door is left open for accusation that the photograph has been manipulated or 'doctored' by your use of the computer. Sceptics and more importantly the scientific establishment would never be convinced without this proof (many would still not with it). With the above in mind, we feel that at present, stand alone digital images serve as no creditable scientific evidence and therefore will only help to strengthen the cynical view of our work by sceptics and the establishment. If your choice is down the digital photography road, then seriously consider about it being backed up by standard film photography. See also beginner’s guide to ghost photography. [Back to FAQs][Top][Back to Equipment Page][Home] If page is loaded out of frames click Here
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