foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

Hey Hoggers!
Are any of you familiar with Kirlian Photography? A friend mentioned something about it and I have read a couple of articles, but nothing definitive. If anyone here is knowledgeable about the subject, I would like some more details.

Thank you for your consideration and knowlege.

LMurray Loc: North Orange County, CA

Kirlian photography, although the study of which can be traced back to the late 1700s, was officially invented in 1939 by Semyon Davidovitch Kirlian. The Kirlian photographic process reveals visible “auras” around the objects photographed. These photographs have been the subject of much myth and controversy over the years. Interestingly, much of which was initially put forth to explain the Kirlian photography phenomena was put forth by the inventor himself, along with his wife. The process of taking a Kirlian photo is a fairly simple one and does not even require the use of a camera. First, a sheet of photographic film is placed on top of a metal plate. Then, the object that is to be photographed is placed on top of the film. To create the initial exposure, high voltage current is applied to the metal plate. The electrical coronal discharge between the object and the metal plate is captured on the film. The Kirlian photograph, which shows a light, glowing silhouette around the photographed object, becomes visible as a result of developing the film. Although the Kirlians invented this photographic process in 1939, they didn’t publicly release information about their experiments until 1958, and Kirlian photography wasn’t a well-known phenomenon to the general public until 1970.
Quarter 3 by nebarnix
The Myth of Kirlian Photography The first mythical explanations put forth about Kirlian photography were suggested by the Kirlians themselves. They believed that these photographs were depicting the actual life-force or “aura” that many people believe surrounds all living things. New Age spiritualists attribute huge importance to the aura and believe that specially trained aura-readers can provide important insights into a person’s spiritual, emotional and physical state. The Kirlians were convinced that these photos could accurately predict emotional and physical states and could be used to diagnose illnesses. The assertion that Kirlian photographs could depict emotional and physical states was quickly adopted by energy practitioners. While the use of Kirlian photography has largely fallen by the wayside as a diagnostic tool these days, there are still alternative practitioners who believe in it as an accurate way to help those who seek their services for healing all kinds of conditions both emotional and physical. Kirlian photography has been a staple of paranormal research for some time as well. In the 1960s and 1970s paranormal researchers connected it to many types of unexplained phenomena, one of which was telepathy. Researchers proposed that telepathy was the result of people's auras communicating together. The Science of Kirlian Photography It can be hard to separate the fact versus the fiction when it comes to Kirlian photography, since these photos are very real and do clearly show some phenomenon at work. However, the fact that these glowing auras are seen around non-living objects as well as living objects in Kirlian photos is often simply ignored by those who want to believe in the supernatural explanation.
fingerprints by nebarnix, on Flickr
So if the glowing auras seen in Kirlian photography aren’t really caused by something spiritual, paranormal or our “life-energy” then what are they caused by? The answer is water. The high-voltage frequency applied to the metal plate rips the electrons off of atoms. The air around the photographed object becomes ionized. If that air contains any water, the resulting image will show the glowing silhouette around the object, which scientists actually call a “corona plasma discharge”. When a person is sweating more due to being overheated, or excited in some way, Kirlian photographs taken of their hands at that time will show a larger more intense glow due to the increased moisture. Conversely, cold dry hands will produce an image which shows a weaker glow. Despite the ready availability of this accurate scientific explanation, New Age proponents of Kirlian photography will still argue that the person whose hands showed a larger, brighter glow is a natural healer when they are really just sweaty.
fingertip by nebarnix, on Flickr
Factors other than humidity which can influence the final image include the pressure and angle of your hand touching the metal plate as well as the amount of voltage. Kirlian photographs taken of the exact same person can be very different taken only minutes apart due to these variables. A very well-known Kirlian photography experiment documents a leaf as it slowly dies. The initial photograph was taken when the leaf was freshly cut and shows a prominent glow. As the leaf gets older more photos are taken, which show that the glow is starting to weaken. This was once explained away with the life-force theory. However, we now know that the weakening of the glow is simply a result of the leaf losing water and drying up over time.
Ivy Leaf by nebarnix, on Flickr
In another experiment involving a leaf, an initial photo is taken which shows the usual strong glow or aura. Then, part of the leaf is torn away. Surprisingly, a ghostly glowing trace of the missing part of the leaf showed up on the film. For years this result was considered more proof of some sort of “life-force”. In reality though, it was simply a result of some moisture residue left on the glass. If the residue is completely removed prior to photographing the leaf again, the phantom glow does not appear. One final scientific observation to point out is that the Kirlian effect simply doesn’t happen in a vacuum since there is no water vapor, which prevents ionization. In Conclusion While the mystical and paranormal explanations for the glow in Kirlian photographs have been debunked, the truth may be just as interesting as fiction to the more scientifically minded. Its potential for studying certain aspects of life are being explored scientifically. Also, there are a few artists using Kirlian photography to create beautiful images of what has been called “living art”. Like other forms of artistic expression such as traditional photography, this should and will be explored to its fullest.

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

I am not responding in the normal manner seemed to be acceptable in the UHH world as the preferred reply method due to the size of LMurray's post. And I thank you, LMurray for your quick reply. I had read this information beforehand.

What I really meant to say, was had anyone actually used this method, and how successful and easy/hard is it. What were your impressions and do you still do it. I am interested in the results of others.

Thank you in advance.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

"New Age spiritualists attribute huge importance to the aura " ... hi refractive index will give the aura effect in the "incorrect" light. The fringe effect of cheap lenses. I have not done Kirlian but have been fascinated by it for decades, back when plants talked to each other and were shown by Kirlian.

For digital photography:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Digital-Kirlian-Photography/

The high voltage needed for Kirlian is discussed here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/High-Voltage-Power-Supply-for-Kirlian-Photography/

We have two ready-made high voltage low current [safe] supplies that may work. One is the fly swat bug zapper from Harbor freight. You get a lot of electronics for $4 and the voltage may be sufficient to use for the simple two plate Kirlian Photography. Upping the input battery supply voltage ups the output voltage.
https://www.brighthubengineering.com/diy-electronics-devices/107500-indoor-mosquito-bats-explained/

A flash circuit has high voltage [yes it can bite, but I do not think it kills the normal person] the charged unit may have sufficient voltage to use for Kirlian. Perhaps adding more capacitors for longer discharge across the plates. I am not talking about the flash tube discharge... only the voltage ready for that discharge.
"The electrodes of the lamp are usually connected to a capacitor, which is charged to a relatively high voltage (<trigger voltage?> generally between 250 and 5000 volts). --- An extremely high voltage pulse, (usually between 2000 and 150,000 volts), ... <this is the flash pulse voltage ?>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashtube"

I have a few disposable cameras with flash that the drugstore gave me. They are in the photo section and usually in a behind-the-counter box that will be trashed or picked up by the used developing chemical guy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI... electronic surplus stuff on the cheap: https://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/
Discussion: https://www.wired.com/2011/02/aura-portraits/
Dr. Rory Coker, Professor of Physics at the University of Texas at Austin
https://web2.ph.utexas.edu/~coker2/index.files/kirlian.shtml

traderjohn Loc: New York City

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

ANOTHER interesting post on this website!
I've had a couple parishioners over the years claiming to have the ability to see another's "aura" and to them it was real. I don't doubt it - these folks were as normal otherwise as the person sitting next to them and listening further to their thoughts and the subject's thoughts everything fit together to some level.
Many years of providing counseling to others has given me the permission to not ignore the process and/or results.
That part of the this post is a little off topic but it leads me to write even further off topic.
For some reason during the time I was studying at seminary I became enamored with Shamanism. This practice appears in the very earliest recorded societies discovered to date and translates all the way to our present day religious practices.
"Auras" are mentioned many times in these early studies.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Wonderful. I wonder how long it took him to try and help you? Perhaps you could Google your question.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

If it takes all this fancy gear and the risks of death or severe burns, I suggest Photoshop..
I'm sure there will be a way to 'create' it.

have fun

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I did a Kirlian once in a photo class (2014?) where they had the gadget set up to demo it for groups of adult ed students. We each got to make one plate or sheet of film of our own. People used different object or their hands. Some were interesting, some were totally boring. Fairly random. I remember little of mine and don't even remember where I put it. It was near the end of the term and I was busy with other assignments so I never got around to seeing if they'd let me use the machine on my own and learn how to use it. And I had heard of Kirlian Photography back in the seventies. And all the New Age non-sense. It is just physics and nothing magic. Though if you look it up there are some cool images around.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

True enough, you can do practically anything with Photoshop if you know how!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Waiting to see an example.

gmsatty Loc: Chicago IL

This is part of the Edgar Casey "phenomenon." Check him out on Google.

ecurb1105

TMI

LMurray Loc: North Orange County, CA

No Edgar Casey had nothing to do with this, it came along well after he passed.

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

At risk of going further off-topic, over the last ten years I have become very aware of my chi and others. Chi in Chinese philosophies and medicine is you life energy. While practicing Tai Chi for that time and teaching Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) for six of them, I have become more and more attuned to my energy and that of others.

The strongest example of sensing others energy was about 5 years ago when my wife organized a TCA Instructors Workshop. One student was totally blind. He came a day early and worked with my wife as they found how to best teach him the forms. This had the added challenge of our program has a strict NO TOUCH policy. They found they could sense each other energy and he could follow her movements easily. This and a yoga mat were the only changes to the program. While our master trainer worked with the rest of the class Sherry taught him in another room. After four days and using only words and sensed energy he was certified to teach TCA, and did better than the majority of the class.

I am slowly becoming a believer in auras. About two years ago we were watching a tai chi demonstration at a local Japanese Festival, when my wife commented, "He has a strong aura!" I have thought that my contacts were acting up. I looked at a person next to him and they were clear while there was something different about him. His aura? While out I will sometimes a difference under or near certain trees, no all just some. I know several people that claim to feel energy from trees, some stronger than others.

I wonder just how many things about and in the world haven't been found or we haven't been able to quantitate up to now.

Bill