Assistance Needed - Camera problem?

Grimstone

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Hi. I am a long time lurker, first timer poster. I am also probably one of your more unusual photography people here, for what I use it for is evidence collection during paranormal investigations. I take the work very seriously and I find learning proper photography techniques very important. I have gone to low-light photography seminars and constantly reading every trade article I can get my hands on. Most normal low-light camera errors I can recognize such as flash light bounce and so forth. However, one of my clients submitted a picture to me to see if it is paranormal in nature. It was taken with a DSC-V3 (I personally use the F828). At first I thought it was an off-frame barbaque ash/embars caught on the image due to the slow shutter speed (2 seconds). However, there was no source of fire or heat sources present at the event. There was not even a person smoking. The camera settings were F/2.8, ISO-100, 0 step compensation. Can anyone identify what "natural" cause this may be?

Thank you in advance for your assistance. It is truly appreciated.

 
I think some folks were having fun with you . It appears to be a flame held very close to the lens (perhaps a match or lighter), and then it was removed when the flash triggered.
R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.

http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries
 
I suppose that is a possibility. However, I know the person who sent it to me reasonably well and she is not the type of person to waste my time with a hoax. She seems sincerely baffled by the cause of this "flame" effect. The camera itself is only a week old, they do not have alot of camera experience, and I think they would be too nervous to get a direct flame anywhere near the lens. She did state it was the best camera her husband could afford. However, I have been sent hoaxes before (though not by this person), so it is a valid possibility.

Any other possibilities out there?
--
Christopher Bailey
Grimstone Inc.
http://www.grimstone-inc.com
 
Well if it is simply a match or lighter, this is simple enough to test for. I'll just pull out my F828, set the ISO, aperture, and shutter, and see if I can get a close copy. Then I at least have something to go back with them with. Thank you for your help and quick replies!

Other people with other possibilities?

--
Christopher Bailey
Grimstone Inc.
http://www.grimstone-inc.com
 
Everything outside philosophy, including ethics, has a scientific explanation. In this case, it's just a matter of finding out what the science behind the explanation is.

Mesh
Downunder
 
Downunder,

I fully agree. However while science is vast, known science still has its gaps. My day job is working as the head chemist / director for an R&D lab in the polymers field. I take everything I receive and approach it analytically. When something is beyond my knowledge, I look to more expert opinions for answers and education. Hence, I posted this picture here.

--
Christopher Bailey
Grimstone Inc.
http://www.grimstone-inc.com
 
No worries Grimstone. I can appreciate your concerns - as long as your client understands that the flare in that image is not paranormal, as such. I don't know what is. Paranormal? Nah.

Mesh
Downunder
 
Thank you all for your lovely ghost pictures chuckle . My favorite is still:



That's my 2 year old son walking into a 30 second exposure. Paranormal? No. Favorite? Without doubt.

I appreciated everyone's comments to date, including the skepticism.
--
Christopher Bailey
Grimstone Inc.
http://www.grimstone-inc.com
 

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