Ghost Orbs: Debunked!

We’ve all seen it in photos on websites, review sites, and social media pages. That shocking photo of something that someone claims is a ghost. The most common claim is that of ubiquitous orbs in a photo.

At Colonial Ghosts, we won’t get you excited about orbs in photos or marks on walls, because we know they’re not the real thing. However, we’re still taking you out to find the real thing and tell you the real story, just without the orbs.

What Are Orbs?

While taking part of one of our Williamsburg Ghost Tours, you may end up snapping a picture filled with orbs. Many other ghost tours and even visitors will claim that these orbs are the manifestation of ghosts, but that is typically not true.

Orbs are, generally, visible circles of light that appear in photos. More often than not, they are mistaken for spirits or some type of energy, however it’s very rare that they are.

When people point out orbs in their photos, it’s because they want to see something. Unfortunately, while we all wish we captured a ghost on a ghost tour of Williamsburg, there are several things that can create this effect, and none of them are paranormal.

Common Causes of Orbs

Common causes of orbs are dust, pollen, insects, drops of liquid in the air (which is exacerbated by the infamous humidity of the Williamsburg area), and foreign material on or within the camera lens. One or more of these items can easily show up in an image as an orb, especially when a flash is used. The items, such as dust, pollen, insects and drops of liquid, don’t even have to be in the camera’s view to cause the anomaly.

When in Colonial Williamsburg, you will likely take photos of the area and of yourself in front of historic locations or haunted houses. Particles in the air between the camera and the focus point of the image will appear as blurry spots or balls of light. It is really just a reflection from the flash, not Mr. Ghost!

Orbs From Film To Digital

The phenomenon of orbs has increased with the transformation of the modern camera. As devices have switched from film to digital, the phenomenon of orbs began to become a point of discussion. Upon further examination, research found that as devices began to shrink, they located the flash closer and closer to the lens, and more orbs were appearing in pictures as a result.

The closer the lens is to the flash, the easier it is for the flash to reflect off of the dirt, water particle, insect, or other item, and for that reflection to enter the lens and create… an orb, not a ghost, spirit, or other manifestation. This phenomenon is known as backscatter or near-camera reflection.

Also, the higher the ISO used on the camera, the more orbs tend to appear. ISO is the acronym for International Standards Organization, the governing body that standardizes sensitivity ratings on camera sensors. When you change the ISO setting, you’re adjusting your camera’s sensitivity to light. ISO settings can be anywhere from 24 to above 6,000. These settings have a direct relationship to the camera’s sensitivity. A lower setting makes the camera less sensitive to light, while a high setting makes it more sensitive.

In English, ISO also refers to how long the shutter remains open while taking a photo. When it is slower and open longer, you will likely just get blurrier images unless the camera and subject are steady. However, with a higher shutter speed, those flashes off of the particles in the air show up as a bunch of orbs. They aren’t paranormal at all, and are nothing to be afraid of. But you should be afraid of our ghost stories.

Didn’t Use The Flash?

But what if you didn’t use a flash? Reflection from other light sources is still a possibility and you may still see an orb even if you don’t use a flash. This is also where other image contaminations play a part in orbs, such as foreign material on or in the camera lens. If there is even a tiny piece of dirt or condensation on your lens, it can appear in a picture as an orb. Again, this is common in humid environments and is not a paranormal occurrence.

Even if you can’t visibly see dirt or bugs or moisture in the air when you are taking photos, they are there. Unless you are in a perfect vacuum, these contaminations are always present. This means that you can always end up with orbs in the images.

When going on a Colonial Ghosts Tour in Williamsburg, Virginia, make sure to have your camera handy. We’re not saying it’s not possible to catch a ghost on film. Orbs may not always be a ghostly apparition, but you might still spot a ghost or something of the paranormal variety, and have a chance to catch them on film! We recommend bringing an old-fashioned camera over a digital one to increase your chances.

At the very least, you’ll be able to take photos of the locations and capture something more important than ghosts- lasting memories with friends and families on a fun ghost tour!

Haunted Williamsburg

While the orbs in your photos may or may not be spirits, there’s plenty more spooky things to witness on one of our tours. Williamsburg is home to countless other locations steeped in rich history and even more spine-chilling drama along its haunted walking paths. With the city’s deep-rooted past and the intense emotions that have unfolded over time, many tours kick off at iconic sites, where the past feels as vivid as the present.

As you wander through Williamsburg, you’ll encounter lingering echoes of violent deaths, heartbreaking tragedies, and restless spirits that won’t find peace. These tours offer a fascinating look into the passions, secrets, and scandals that have shaped this historic town. From fiery duels to forbidden romances, the stories are both chilling and captivating.

Eager to uncover more of Williamsburg’s ghostly past? Explore our blog for even more eerie history and book your Williamsburg ghost tour to experience these spectral tales firsthand! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest ghostly updates and spine-tingling stories!

Sources

https://www.spiritshack.co.uk/blog/ghost-hunting/what-are-orbs-and-what-do-orbs-mean/?srsltid=AfmBOoobyBwIEyGBBB5WLh9q8H4dV1FtG3R1hAh0eVwOoYHWWn_dfQsc
https://paranormalmilwaukee.com/paranormal-101/orbs-explained/
https://withintheboggartwood.org.uk/barebones/orbs/
https://mysteriousmichigan.com/paranormal-orbs

Orbs in Photos: Debunked!