Energy Cord Photography?
March 3, 2011 12:08 PM   Subscribe

What's the name for these "energy cords" and where can I find more photos of them?

I'm looking to find photography, possibly in the paranormal photography realm, of strings of light/energy photographed in the natural world. (Example here under "High Energy Strings")

I've heard them referred to as "energy cords" or "spirit cords" or "energy serpents" ... stuff like that. But when I googled "energy cords" or "spirit light," I got a whole lot of images of extension cords, etc.

They are somewhat related to spirit orbs-- which are easy to google and come right up in gratifying multitudes.

Another thing I've heard about them -- the bushmen of the Kalahari evidently use them to navigate at night. That might help.

I'm not looking to explain these phenomena (scientifically or otherwise), but am really only interested in what they are called so as to find more photographs of them. Any idea where the "energy cord" photo enthusiasts hang out?

Thanks!
posted by peachykeen to Science & Nature (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
"Energy strings" = motion blur
"Orbs" = lens flare, dust
"Echo mist, dust" = smoke

This is all very easy to reproduce, for more fun, click the shutter on your digital camera and spin it around or (carefully) toss in the air.
posted by limited slip at 12:15 PM on March 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


Kirlian photography?
posted by Sternmeyer at 12:40 PM on March 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks, limited slip, but just to clarify.

I'm not looking to recreate these effects at home, nor do I believe that they're paranormal or anything.

What I am looking for are photographs of these "energy strings" (motion blur) online and/or communities online that do believe in their paranormal qualities.
posted by peachykeen at 12:41 PM on March 3, 2011


Best answer: You'll find a lot of results like this if you search for "spirit energy" or "spiritual energy" or "supercharged energy" photographs. There are also a number of shows (I think possibly on the History channel? maybe it was A&E) that follow groups of people who take this kind of footage.

Personally, I've been able to photograph evidence of spirit apparitions around me for the last year. This is my roommate's dog. Totally haunted. I swear, no photoshopping was involved in those pictures.

Strangely, the timeline of my connection to the spirit world seems to match up pretty closely with when I dropped my digital camera down the stairs...silly ghosts.
posted by phunniemee at 12:43 PM on March 3, 2011 [3 favorites]


My first thought: sprite lightning which doesn't match your photo exactly.

There are also these supposed creatures I can't remember the name of who move incredibly quickly through the air that people use blurry photographs as proof of.
posted by thylacine at 1:47 PM on March 3, 2011


Thylacine is thinking of rods a.k.a. "skyfish," and you might be, as well.

More rods: 1 2

These have been pretty thoroughly debunked as being moths and other insects photographed under low light conditions. (Even by an episode of MonsterQuest - a show which is not exactly skeptical.) But this doesn't stop the believers.
posted by ErikaB at 2:03 PM on March 3, 2011


Have you tried protoplasm or ectoplasm along with the word photography? That was the old spiritualist name for them, I thought.

Some examples here
posted by saucysault at 3:04 PM on March 3, 2011


your query reminded me of this ask which led to the rediscovery of this website.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 3:23 PM on March 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


limited slip has just had me tossing my camera around my office for the last 10 mins. Thanks for enlivening a slow Friday afternoon!
posted by arcticseal at 10:22 PM on March 3, 2011


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