book review
How to Photograph the Paranormal
by Fiona Broome and the Hollow Hill staff ©2005

How to Photograph the Paranormal by Leonore Sweet, Ph.D. is a book that every serious ghost researcher should read.

I wasn't expecting much when I picked up this book. After many years as a ghost researcher, I'm accustomed to "experts" who wave mail-order credentials and want to make a big deal out of dust, pollen, camera straps, and so on.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I read this thoughtful exploration of photographic evidence for paranormal phenomena.

If you want to learn how cameras work, Sweet only briefly discusses the mechanics of photography. Instead, her book focuses on the myriad issues related to orbs, rods, and other visual anomalies in photos.

In this almost 'whodunnit' narrative, Dr. Sweet begins by explaining what started her search: In 2001, Dr. Sweet--hoping for photographic evidence of animals' souls--took photos of a a beloved family pet as she left this world. Some of the photos revealed startling images that could not be explained.

In "How to Photograph the Paranormal," we follow Dr. Sweet's explorations of every possible answer for those early photos and others that were part of her studies.

New and experienced ghost hunters will enjoy Dr. Sweet's well-illustrated chapter offering "Orb Hunting Tips." In another chapter, she charts her extensive comparisons of ball lightning, earth lights, ghost lights, will-o'-the-wisps, UFOs, and orbs.

Throughout this book, Dr. Sweet continues to explore vortexes, ectoplasm, shadow ghosts, and even anomalies related to crop circles. She also digs deeply into traditional and New Age spirituality, looking for references to--and explanations of--the lights and other images that reveal themselves in paranormal photos.

No two researchers are likely to agree on the causes (or spiritual implications) of photographic anomalies. Many of my views and research techniques differ from Dr. Sweet's. However, her book explores a wide range of opinions, and she carefully documents the many considerations that led to her conclusions.

Although this was clearly a personal journey for Dr. Sweet, her many references, quotations, and endnotes are valuable for anyone actively studying paranormal photography.

I recommend this book whether you take angels, interdimensional beings, or even "ghost photos" seriously, if you are involved with ghost research. Dr. Sweet's "How to Photograph the Paranormal" provides useful insights to the many possible answers for questions raised by paranormal photographs.

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Hollow Hill is a ghost information site; our information is only as reliable as readers' reports. We assume no credit for your adventures, and accept no liability for your misadventures. Use common sense. Read our ghost hunting recommendations. Before visiting any "haunted" site, verify the location, accessibility, safety, and other important information. Never trespass on private and/or posted property without permission from the authorities. All photos and text at Hollow Hill are copyrighted by the authors: Fiona Broome, Eibhlin Morey MacIntosh, and staff.