And When The Mist Rolls In

Ghost Hunters of Asheville tours guarantee paranormal photographs. Most of our guests' pictures involve orbs, but 15 to 20 percent of our paranormal photographs involve apparitions, half-apparitions or the form of a ghost known as an ectoplasmic mist. This mist shows up as a seemingly swirling, thick fog that appears when an apparition is either beginning or ending its manifestation. Therefore, faces and bodies will sometimes manifest within the mist. (See the photo on the February 2010's "Chattanooga Choo Choo Chimera" blog for a good example of this phenomenon.)

Although predominantly white, ectoplasmic mist can appear in many colors. It can be captured by either camera or video and has been known to affect paranormal meters and gauges.

Skeptics attribute this mist to moisture, climatic fog, smoke, cigarette smoke, steam or breath in the cold. The picture below, though, doesn't appear to fit any of these alternate explanations. Taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway by one of our guests, this ectoplasmic mist is far enough away from the photographer to debunk breath or smoke and isn't shaped like climatic fog.

To avoid confusion, hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds before taking a picture in colder temperatures and avoid smokers. Taking 3 photos in quick succession also helps eliminate the possibility of external factors. A lone mist, orb or apparition in the photographic succession adds validity that you have indeed captured the paranormal.