Is it really easier to see paranormal phenomena in the dark?

[Glowingsun]

I've noticed that in most paranormal shows, investigators walk around in the complete dark. Why? What are they expecting to see that won't show up in the light? Evidence of natural causes? A white apparition?
I'm finding that more and more ghosts are not so white and show up much better in light. Especially the dark spirits. And you can see it's more paranormal than a "mysterious" sighting. These shows claim they are trying to get proof that ghosts exist or try to prove that they don't exist. How can they get proof if the audience can't see what they catch on film? And, also, whenever an object moves it always happens when the camera is aiming elsewhere.
I'm not going to say these shows are lying or that they are fabricating stuff or not. But I find it fustrating that the camera men are too focused on the investigators.
When I do see on T.V that the hosts claim to have captured an apparition, you only see the image in nightvision and it's fuzzy and undistinguished. Other times it's a dark body that goes past a light or window in the back ground. This is not evidence, it's another mystery added to the millions of other cases.

[Sequoia]

In answer to your original question, the title of this thread: perhaps it is. There is the theory that, since light is energy, and energy can interfere with other energy, and since sunlight especially is POWERFUL energy, that it can "wash out" other energy-based beings, at least, their visible forms. (Run-on sentence alert!) There's also the theory that elecro-magnetism interferes heavily with spirit beings. (If you've ever had the opportunity to slowly move under heavy high-voltage lines, you'd KNOW what I mean!)

On the logical side of things, obviously your eyes play more tricks on you in the dark, the dark makes us feel "spookier" and therefor more jumpy, etc.

Some would argue that the dark helps them focus, as they are not distracted by light, and our physical eyes "shut down" as they search meaninglessly in the endless darkness, allowing our mind to open to the interpretation of our "spiritual eyes".

Which makes me wonder if blind people who once could see have more supernatural "vision" experiences. :hmmmmm:

[Glowingsun]

In answer to your original question, the title of this thread: perhaps it is. There is the theory that, since light is energy, and energy can interfere with other energy, and since sunlight especially is POWERFUL energy, that it can "wash out" other energy-based beings, at least, their visible forms. (Run-on sentence alert!) There's also the theory that elecro-magnetism interferes heavily with spirit beings. (If you've ever had the opportunity to slowly move under heavy high-voltage lines, you'd KNOW what I mean!)

On the logical side of things, obviously your eyes play more tricks on you in the dark, the dark makes us feel "spookier" and therefor more jumpy, etc.

Some would argue that the dark helps them focus, as they are not distracted by light, and our physical eyes "shut down" as they search meaninglessly in the endless darkness, allowing our mind to open to the interpretation of our "spiritual eyes".

Which makes me wonder if blind people who once could see have more supernatural "vision" experiences. :hmmmmm:
Blind people can see supernatural phenomena but are blind to ordinary things? Never heard of that but I'll bite.
You actually brought what I was intending to ask before I got on my computer to ask. Thats the thing. The dark does play tricks on our eyes even on T.V.
Darkness has been a fascination and focal point to the paranomal.
Which brings another pondering question that has plagued me. What do people think of those pics of mysterious apparitions appearing in T.V's that are not on?

[Nox_Mortus]

it reduces the chance of the light causing optical illusions that can be mistaken for paranormal activity for one thing (i.e. "the light playing tricks on you") also since most apparitions tend to be at least somwhat luminescent, they tend t be more visible in the dark.

[Glowingsun]

it reduces the chance of the light causing optical illusions that can be mistaken for paranormal activity for one thing (i.e. "the light playing tricks on you") also since most apparitions tend to be at least somwhat luminescent, they tend t be more visible in the dark.

I don't agree. I think Hollywood expects us to think that ghosts are luminescent. But all the times I've seen apparitions have been during the day in natural and artificial light.
I've only felt presences in the dark.

[Nox_Mortus]

I don't agree. I think Hollywood expects us to think that ghosts are luminescent. But all the times I've seen apparitions have been during the day in natural and artificial light.
I've only felt presences in the dark.

mos to the things I've seen have tended to be at least somewhat luminescent although most are still visible in the daytime, it also leads back to my first point of outside light sources causing optical illusions and whatnot. Also about half of the apparitions I have seen appeared as just pure light.

[Imeera]

I think they do it to get more viewings. Its scarier in the dark, more atmospheric. I don't think it would matter if it was in the dark or the light, natural or otherwise. Plus your more likely to see "something" in the dark then the light. As in the dark you can't see thing properly, therefore your more likely to see something because you don't know what everything really is. Your brain creates things. Kinda like when you were a kid and that dressing gown on the door always looked like someone standing there.... Used to terrify me xD

[swapmeetmomma]

Ive seen them in the dark and light. Only once when I saw a spirit in the dark I knew for sure it wasnt my imagination. In my case they are much easier to see in the light.

[zombi]

I think also a lot of people associate ghosts & paranormal activity with the night. It does help with ratings, I'm sure, to have such mysterious atmosphere -- but myself as well, I have personally experienced more paranormal activity, or things that may have been paranormal, during night hours.

Sequoia's answer about energy is good.

[bellamandu]

seeing as one of my side-gigs is paranormal investigation, i can say, at least through my own personal experience, that the main reason for the so called "lights out" is so that there aren't any possible shadows or reflections that might be mistaken as paranormal activity. its just one of the many many many mannnnnyyyyyy things you can do when seriously investigating activity that helps to ensure (or at least ease skepticism) that there are a few possible non-paranormal explanations for what you might see.

also, it makes for a really creepy ambience. LOL :smileroll

[SwordsFlameSong]

I have to agree with the above. Though, as an investigator I can honestly say possible evidence can be caught in daylight as well as night. We were recently at Fort Lincoln here in ND and the On-A-Slant Mandan village. Pretty awesome place and there were a number of experiences that began when it was still light out.

[Infinite Grey]

It be spooky and scary and creepy and they can scare them selves.

[Glowingsun]

So evidence wise, how beneficial would it be to get some apparition on camera in the dark? We all have seen ghosts captured on all types of media. And still, it doesn't happen very often. It's been said that it takes alot of energy for a spirit to make itself appear. Unfortunatly, most spirits are not strong enough. Even when dying out the batteries and using other external sources of energy.
What would be more intriguing is if the paranormal shows would show more of the activity that does go on the most. How many times have we seen a freak out that was caused by an object thrown by itself and not actually see it happen? Or the psychic that goes to a famous haunted location and claim they know nothing about it. Uh huh, right. The lighting on these shows, even with night vision, is hard to really determine exactly what we are seeing. And since it's a show, with many other crew behind the scenes, who says that someone didn't unknowingly bump into something.

[DoktorSick]

It be spooky and scary and creepy and they can scare them selves.

And beside working in a area with plenty of light where everything could be clearly seen would be to much like real investigation work.

[Infinite Grey]

And beside working in a area with plenty of light where everything could be clearly seen would be to much like real investigation work.

:alol:

What could be considered "real investigation"? Photographs and Videos do not really count... I mean, orb backscatter = spirits? Argh! I wonder how you would test for what is be definition the untestable.

[SwordsFlameSong]

Most so-called orbs are actually dust particles in the air. Amazing how much dust a body can kick up. Unusual flares of light may well be an issue with the camera being used. <shrugs>

EVPS one has to take care wtih as there is this group in town that has evps that I know damn well was one of the investigators. Of course that group goes on the radio and claims that they saw or were touched at every place they go. Precious little proof though.

I guess it all depends on the group you are witnessing - first off the groups on tv - that is tv hype. They play to the camera - well that is the ratings games though. You aren't going to see the hours of sitting there and then the later hours going thru all data gathered. Nor do they show how a good group will go through an area and make note of the mechanics etc - the mundane things. Debunking doesn't make for great ratings eh.

As far as whether the dark is preferred for freaky tiki value - I prefer enough light to see so I won't run into something and break my damned leg. I don't find the dark as a pre-requisite for a true investigation. Anomalies occur in all light settings.

Note I said anomalies.

As far as being able to capture the non-physical with equipment that is geared towards the physical in mind... well that is one of my common gripes. I like to say 'good luck with that'.

Admittedly, the melmeter is pretty neat though and is rather good at catching changes in temp and electomagnetics - though things like cell phones etc can make things like this or the K2 go ape. It is always a good rule of thumb to run through any place with a meter and note any changes in the readings. Odds are it is going to tie in with the wiring and the like. Diagram the space - test and test and test.

Also - the K2 can either be switched on or there is a button that can be manually depressed. Don't manually depress - switch on the meter or put a penny in the button impression to ensure that you aren't inadvertently releasing and applying pressure. When a K2 meter turns on the lights will flash to the red.

The K2 isn't my favorite tool though. I like a good old-fashioned compass. Less to break less to mess with. Works pretty well if there is a change in the electromagnetics of an area.

Digital cameras are great but too easy to fool with and screw with the pictures. I mean I have seen so many obvious bs pics that it isn't funny.

Lots of cons in this field - it is the cool thing ya know. However, there are also a large number of serious investigators who don't kneejerk and go in balanced. This means they will be just as happy to debunk as find evidence of an anomaly that may not be rationalized away.

<shrugs>

[Tatianaluv]

The two groups I belong to pretty much rely on what the client is telling us. If the client states that stuff happens between certain hours then of course you would want to be there during those hours. Whether it be day or night. I have been on investigations where everything happened during the day or around dinner time or very late into the night.

Now if you are going on investigations on your own say not to a clients home, but just going to a known haunt then yes most of those are during the late evening hours. Yes it is definitly for the spook factor but sometimes it is legit to be there in the later hours. I have been to a couple places where you want to be there late at night because that is when all the activity is happening. We have quite a few haunted locations here in Western New York to choose from whether it be during the day or during the night there is always something to check out.

So really it all depends on the location of the investigation and what the client is telling you will determine what hours you would be doing the investigation.

[Lunacie]

It may depend on what kind of activity there is. A residual haunt can happen at any time but only in a certain place. An intelligent haunting seems to happen more often after dark but can move around.