What Is Ghost Photography
What is ghost photography? Also known as spirit photography, it involves capturing ghostly or spectral images on camera. The art has a long and interesting history, and despite being relatively niche, it continues to be practiced by photographers around the world today.
When it comes to belief in spirit photography, opinions have always been divided. Some people believed that ghosts exist and that photos showing their presence were genuine. Skeptics, on the other hand, thought it was all camera tricks and that anyone believing in ghostly photos was either gullible or deeply into spiritualism.
Today, most photographs of ghostly apparitions are not the result of intentional doctoring or post-processing manipulation. Modern cameras have advanced features that can produce special effects, and some of these are easily mistaken for supernatural phenomena.
How to Create Ghost Photographs
If you want to try ghost photography, preparation makes all the difference. For convincing results, you will need the following items:
- Your camera
- A strong tripod for scene stabilization
- A remote shutter release to prevent you from physically handling the camera during the shoot
Having a genuinely haunted location is a bonus, but if you do not have one available, you can be as imaginative as you want with the setting for your ghost.
Long or slow shutter speeds are the key to achieving a ghostly effect. The exposure typically needs to last a few to several seconds. Nighttime or early evening lighting is ideal, though dim interior lighting can also work well. Having a camera that lets you control shutter speed is essential for this type of photography.
If you are shooting during the day, you will need ND (neutral density) filters. These filters reduce the amount of light hitting your camera sensor, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds in bright conditions. You can use threaded or slot-in filters depending on your setup.
Our article on macro photography covers related ground and is worth a look.
Setting Up Your Ghost Photography Scene
You need to choose a suitable background so it does not distract from your subject’s appearance. Eliminating any unintended ghosting effects is the first step toward getting a clean distinction between your subject and the background.
A solid, simple wall works well. If you want to use your surroundings as part of the image, the ground or the sky make good starting points for backgrounds. Keep in mind that using a cluttered or busy background can be tricky unless you are going for a specific effect.
There are two main types of ghostly images you can create, and each one requires a different approach: the transparent figure and the flowing figure.
The Transparent Figure
You may have seen a mysterious photo featuring a transparent subject. The image might look unsettling, especially to someone unfamiliar with ghost photography techniques.
Transparent figure photography is one of the most straightforward ghost photography methods. It relies on multiple exposure techniques and depends heavily on the environment.
You will typically need a shutter speed of a few seconds or more for sufficient exposure time. Your model should remain perfectly still for only a fraction of the total exposure. This way, your camera captures an identifiable figure in sharp detail while the figure remains transparent because the model was not in the frame for the full duration.
We put together a full guide on fashion photography that pairs well with this.
The model should move out of the frame as quickly as possible to avoid blurring the image. The viewer will notice a subtle blend between two moments since the result is effectively two photos in one: one with the subject in frame and one without.
The Flowing Figure
The flowing figure technique depends on rapid movement for the right effect. There is no need for highly precise timing because you are trying to create a transparent blur, but like the transparent figure method, you should experiment first.
While photographing a flowing figure, your shutter speed will vary depending on available light, so testing different settings is important. The subject needs to move quickly enough that the human form is visible but substantially blurred.
Dress in loose-fitting clothes or wrap a white sheet over your shoulders to amplify the ghostly effect. Moving quickly through your frame while using this technique will make the image feel more surreal and otherworldly.
Also, take time to create the right environment. The surroundings will add to your final photograph because you are aiming for a haunting image. Choose a location that matches the mood you want to convey.
Final Thoughts
Ghost shots are fascinating, and they raise plenty of questions, especially among people who have never seen ghost photography before. While they might intrigue viewers, ghost photos are genuinely fun for photographers because they offer a chance to push creative boundaries.
To make great ghost photos, you really only need the right camera, a tripod for support, and manual control over your shutter speed. From there, it is all about experimenting and seeing what works.