Investigating the Paranormal
by Robert Goerman

(November 2008)-- This month, Mr. Goerman provides his insight on issues related to documenting the strange and unknown through the use of photographic equipment.

Choosing your camera 

Photography plays a huge role in this investigation business and the quality of your photography matters. If you already own a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and a variety of lenses, that is great. If not, then don't run out and buy the store. Cameras have proliferated to such a degree in recent years that it would be impossible to single out any specific model as the agreed upon "best" for this or that purpose. Some so-called "point-and-shoot" auto-focus cameras with built-in zoom lens and automatic flash virtually rival their manufacturer's professional lines in terms of the final product. Even one-time-use or "disposable" cameras have their place in field investigations. For the best of both analog and digital worlds, many photo-finishing centers can create a digital album CD of your 35mm photographs at the time of processing. Always keep your camera loaded and close at hand. Take extra batteries and more film than you ever think you will need.

It is very important that you master basic photography skills and techniques. Learn how f-stops, depth of field, and shutter speeds influence your final photographic product. The secret to knowing what you are doing is to know what you are doing. Learn the skill sets that make the difference.

Digital camera and extra memory

The future of photography is digital. Embrace this technology.

More powerful and flexible than film cameras, digital still cameras are improving by leaps and bounds. Many affordable digital cameras can even shoot video, complete with sound. Three features to consider when purchasing a point-and-shoot digital camera are the megapixel rating, the zoom capabilities, and the storage media. An economical off-the-shelf standard issue digital camera bought today will have about seven million pixels or seven megapixels. Like everything else in this wildly evolving world of computers and electronics, tomorrow more often than not brings better and less expensive. All things considered, go for the highest optical zoom that you can afford. So-called digital zoom is vastly inferior and should never enter the equation when purchasing any digital camera or camcorder.

The digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is an investigator's best friend. These cameras have interchangeable lenses and their design allows for extremely quick shooting. Generally bigger and bulkier, SLR cameras provide better image quality and are famous for their wealth of manual options.

Remember to take extra batteries.

Digital versus film

Photographs, like documents, contain information. This photographic information is more often degraded by poor exposure, blur caused by subject or camera movement, poor focus, et cetera, than by the format choice of film photography versus digital photography.

Automation makes possible a shift away from the technical process of photography to the more fundamental considerations of content and purpose. More law enforcement agencies are using digital cameras to photograph crime scenes and victims. Digital photography offers a number of benefits, including crisp detail, instant images, and decreased cost associated with development of film and maintenance. Film has already disappeared from professional newspaper use. 

Advantages of digital photography 

Shoot as much as you like, it costs you next to nothing.

Digital camera preview screens can help prevent errors. They offer immediate feedback so that you can determine whether or not you have the exact images that you require on the spot. You can take a photograph and view the image immediately. You can print it on a portable printer and download it to a computer. The image may be emailed or placed on a web page. 

Digital has no "negative" stage. Because of this, digital usually looks much better than most prints made from negatives. This is because most negatives are usually printed poorly by automated photo-finishing equipment. Digital offers more consistent color than regular print film.

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