Orb question

[rain]

In an unedited digital photo, any idea as to what could cause a mostly straight but somewhat twisting band of glowing orbs that are directly next to each other? I know it's probably just dust, but I'm a bit stumped as to what would cause the perfect alignment and the glowing haze that surrounds them in an otherwise fairly dark room.

[arthwollipot]

Can we see the photo?

[SphereGuy]

Hair or spider web? Hard to say without seeing it.

[rain]

Sorry I didn't upload the pic earlier; I didn't realize that I could. Hair or spider web definitely seems possible, but the only thing I'm not sure about is whether that would account for the way the orbs appear.

It's obviously a very dusty old house so it makes sense that the orbs appear in virtually every photo that was taken there, but this was the only picture in which they appear connected by a strand.

[Cactus Wren]

Looks to me like a strand of the photographer's hair.

[Brattus]

LOL!

[chillzero]

Looks to me like a strand of the photographer's hair.
That's my thought too.

[paximperium]

Why are any abnormalities on photos called orbs even when they are often streaks, smudges or strands?

[Delscottio]

I assume because of how obvious the bottom left hand corner stuff is, we are looking at the marks above the door?

[P.J. Denyer]

Another vote for hair or spiderweb, it's not really a line of orbs it's just that when it is that close to the lens and out of focus all the points where the flash is reflected slightly more strongly are blurred and appear that way.

[thaiboxerken]

The three faints "orbs" above the door is probably just dust. And no, they are not "perfectly" in line. The big one in the middle is off-line if you draw a straight line between the 2 small ones.

Rain, I hope this picture hasn't been claimed to be evidence of anything paranormal, because if so..that person is wacked.

[arthwollipot]

Hair. Was the photographer blonde?

[chillzero]

Hair. Was the photographer blonde?

My hair is dark and I've had the same effect, depending on how the light hits it. I've learned to keep my hair tied back when I'm out and about with the camera.

[Almo]

Big welcome to Rain, who has come to the right place to ask the question. Now let's hope the next part works out, which is when they say, "Was just curious what you guys thought," instead of, "No, that can't be hair. What else could it be? I mean, these orbs really look suspicious."

[The_Fire]

That looks like the work of a dirty lens and a hair.

[Unlike a Bull]

I believe it is caused by a spirit. The spirit of Jesus. Yep, those are definitely Jesus spheres. They're actually physical manifestations of his love for you. Well, not physical, more like metaphysical.

[bryan]

That looks like a hair...

The "Obrs" that you are seeing in the hair are caused by the highlights coming off of different parts of the hair.

We actually had a woman submit a photograph similar to this ( a few more hairs in the pic ) with the addition of explaining she "was praying" while the image was being taken because she had seen them in previous images.

It took a little time to get her to understand what caused the image and we even re-created it for her, but in the end she was open to the explanation.

Like my group says: "Orb's have never been and never will be Ghosts"

[Lanzy]

I always carry lens cleaner with me. Every ghost photographer should.

No, wait, then they may not get any.

[rain]

Thanks for the observations, everybody. After hearing your answers, I definitely think that the hair explanation makes the most sense.

I do enjoy ghost stories and investigating them for fun, but I always try to keep a critical mind when doing so. I still have yet to find any concrete evidence obviously. :p

[I Ratant]

I got two classes of orbs last night, walking out back just after a light rain.
Focusing on the insects in a shaft of sunlight, the rain drops on the Juniper bush orbicized themselves, while the insects took on the role of "rods".

[JoeTheJuggler]

Why are any abnormalities on photos called orbs even when they are often streaks, smudges or strands?

I don't think they should be, but in this case I can see the similarity--it's another something small very close to the lens that catches the flash and is photographed out of focus.

[foxholeatheist]

I believe it is caused by a spirit. The spirit of Jesus. Yep, those are definitely Jesus spheres. They're actually physical manifestations of his love for you. Well, not physical, more like metaphysical.

Thanks for the belly laugh.

"Yeap, those are definitely Jesus spheres."

That's a great one!

[Lusikka]

Hair or spider web? Hard to say without seeing it.

I think you are right. I assume spider web is the better alternative because the "orbs" are so clearly visible. Hair would have less contrast.

[Denver]

The three faints "orbs" above the door is probably just dust. And no, they are not "perfectly" in line. The big one in the middle is off-line if you draw a straight line between the 2 small ones.

Rain, I hope this picture hasn't been claimed to be evidence of anything paranormal, because if so..that person is wacked.

Yep. Though it seems most likely they were speaking of the hair-line orbs, here are all the other 'orbs' I found in the picture. Certainly no kind of organized linear object there (unless someone wants to play connect the dots into some kind of phallic symbol...)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_195804a2932eb5c049.jpg (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=16601)

[JollyRoger]

Just a thought here

Any good shop mechanic could go threw all of the evidence presented by the Ghost hunters and explain what they are using, what all the various do-dads (IE Specter detector) are really used for, and why the instruments and devices reacting the way they are, and its not the Paranormal.

on the other hand.....

How could something that does not exist in the physical world produce something that can be measured by a scientific instrument. Its like trying to measure the physical weight size and color of the mind.

Ya know what would be interesting, if the ghost they found was a shop mechanic with a twisted sense of humor

[runnah]

As a professional videographer and photographer ihave always have good laugh at these photos.

I normally work with construction companies and spend lots of time in dusty dirty locations. I get tons of orbs when using on camera flashes not to mention various debries related defects.

I think a majority of folks think that camereas take "exactly" what the human eye sees.they have no idea how optics work in a camera.

P.s. I also get loys of "rods"
:D

[runnah]

I aplogize for the bad typing. I am on a blackberry.

[ToddH]

Looks like your camera was touched by His Noodly Appendage. :)

[dropzone]

I aplogize for the bad typing. I am on a blackberry.And this shows you are a tool of Satan!

Or not. I've been using a Palm for years and might be prejudiced.