When we investigate the paranormal, we often find ourselves stepping into the darkness, both figuratively and literally.  Entering a location, after hours, with nobody else around except for perhaps your team members, the surrounding darkness heightens your senses, alerting you to the possibilities hidden within the shadows.  For many investigators- particularly those motivated more by the thrill of ghost hunting than gathering real evidence- the darkness is a tool that heightens the ambience and the experience.

But working in low-light or no-light conditions comes with its own set of challenges, especially for those that seek out a deeper understanding of the true nature of the paranormal.  Practical and safety issues are complicated by the reduced visibility, and an investigation can be significantly hamstrung by the sacrifice of one of our five senses.

Whether through elaborate portable lighting setups, night vision cameras, or emerging techniques like ‘full spectrum’ photography, investigators have developed innovative ways to pierce the darkness. Cynics might look on and wonder, “why don’t you just switch the lights on?” – this is a question we will also explore, as the answer is not necessarily as straightforward as it would first appear.

Why Do People Investigate in the Dark?

While it seems counterintuitive logically to carry out investigations in low or no-light conditions, there are a few arguments in favour of it. Among the more thrill-seeking elements of the paranormal community, darkness creates an emotionally charged setting that heightens the sense of mystery and anticipation.  Working in the dark can be used to ramp up the fear in individuals, which can make for more dramatic footage on social media or can heighten the experience for those that have paid to attend a spooky “ghost hunt”.  Many paranormal groups have modelled themselves after ghost hunting shows on television, and for better or worse it has become an acceptable normal practice. Even some scientifically oriented paranormal groups have embraced this approach.

Practical Reasons for Night Investigations 

Paranormal investigations are often performed at night. Many locations are open to the public, so carrying out an investigation after hours minimises traffic and offers greater control over the location (it also has the benefit of not causing inconvenience to members of the public). Also, operating during quieter hours can mean that in theory there is less external sound pollution. Obviously darker conditions will occur at these times.  It might also be the case that decent lighting is simply not available on site – especially if working in older buildings or castle ruins.

It is perhaps worth noting that operating “after hours” – does not necessarily mean less external noise pollution.  In the case of the Niddry Street vaults in Edinburgh, the location is situated amongst many clubs and bars. During an overnight investigation I attended at that location in 2024, significant noise pollution from nearby clubs, bars, and drunken revellers on the street made it difficult to conduct a focused investigation for most of the night. In cases like these, it’s debatable whether nighttime investigations truly offer less external interference than daytime sessions, which may only have to contend with city traffic noise.

Recreating Conditions of Reported Phenomena

Another reason an investigator might conduct at least part of a session in the dark is to recreate conditions that were in place at the time of a given incident or claim that they are looking into. Many people report paranormal experiences as occurring in low light or darkness. An investigator may wish to replicate that atmosphere to see if something similar can be experienced, which can be followed up in normal lighting conditions to try and identify/debunk the causes.

Safety Concerns and Group Visibility

There are also safety concerns associated with operating in the dark. Navigating unfamiliar terrain in complete darkness heightens the risk of accidents or injuries. For group investigations, maintaining some level of visibility is essential to ensure everyone’s safety, given the potential for trips and fall or encountering other hazards that can be easily visible with proper lighting.

Sensory Deprivation

Operating in darkness can have a profound impact on perception.  As stated already, with the absence of visual input, the human brain will compensate by amplifying the remaining senses – especially hearing.  This increased awareness can make faint sounds, subtle movements, or sounds due to environmental changes seem more significant and pronounced than if heard in a well-lit environment.  While this can aid an investigation, it also introduces the risk of misinterpretation – not only can mundane phenomena be exaggerated into something seemingly paranormal, the lack of visual information can also hamper correct identification of the potential cause.  There is also the risk that investigators might miss something simply because they can’t see—an apparition could be standing right in front of them, unnoticed, and they would be none the wiser!

Expectation bias is another factor tied to the psychology of darkness. Conducting vigils in the dark “primes” the brain to expect something scary to happen.  The eerie atmosphere, coupled with sensory deprivation, can heighten emotional responses—especially in individuals who are already nervous. This heightened state of alertness may cause the brain to become overly attuned to the possibility of unusual occurrences, increasing the likelihood of misinterpretation. 

Working With Technology

To combat the challenges of working in low-light or no-light conditions, investigators can utilise various technological solutions. 

Night Vision Cameras

Infrared (IR) night vision video cameras are invaluable tools for capturing images in darkness.  These work by amplifying available light, or using infrared illumination from camera mounted emitters, to provide clear images in near -total darkness.  Since IR light is invisible to the human eye, it does not distract observers or interfere with their natural adjustment to low-light conditions.

However, these cameras are not without issues.  They can produce grainy, indistinct images, particularly cheaper models, which can contribute to image noise and artefacts that could be misinterpreted as paranormal or even lead to pareidolia.  IR images tend to be in monochrome (usually greyscale or green tinted), which can affect the ability to interpret images correctly (there are some models of night vision camera that produce colour images, but the image quality tends to be significantly lower quality).  

IR emitter, particularly those that are built into the camera, are often relatively weak and will only provide suitable illumination up to a certain range.  Objects beyond the range of an IR emitter are harder to see than they would be in a well-lit environment. Additionally, movement at the edge of the illumination range can appear smeary or indistinct—sometimes even seeming to vanish and reappear, which could be misinterpreted as paranormal activity by an untrained observer.  Additional IR emitters can be purchased however to mount onto camera setups to improve the intensity, image clarity and overall range.

Full/Expanded Spectrum Photography

“Full spectrum” cameras, are a relatively new iteration to night vision camera technology which are also capable of capturing images using the Ultraviolet (UV) range of the Electromagnetic radiation spectrum.  Typically, these cameras are modified standard models, with removal of the internal UV/IR filter that is fixed on top of the camera’s sensor.  Despite its name, ‘full spectrum’ photography does not truly cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum. These cameras are modified to capture IR, visible, and UV light—providing a broader range than standard cameras or purpose built IR cameras, but still only a fraction of the full EM spectrum – so it is perhaps more accurate to use the term “expanded spectrum”. 

Typically, the resultant low light image is again monochrome, this time with a tell-tale pink/purple hue.  The modification to the camera does mean that it will behave slightly differently under normal lighting conditions, with a noticeable difference to how images are produced.  As such, if someone were seeking to modify a camera in this way, it should be a device intended for this dedicated function.

These cameras can capture images in low light, similarly to traditional IR night vision cameras, with the added advantage of the broader spectrum.  The philosophy behind using these is that there is some limited anecdotal evidence that some paranormal entities (such as “shadow figures”) might not be visible in the IR range, and possibly only occasionally in the visible range, so it is hypothesised that experimentation with the UV spectrum might allow capture of this elusive phenomena.

Regardless of whether one considers the idea of the existence such entities to be plausible, the ability to capture images in this expanded light spectrum does potentially open new avenues for the capture of anomalous phenomena.

Visible Spectrum Cameras

Conventional (visible light spectrum) cameras can typically be manually adjusted for low-light conditions using a combination of exposure and ISO settings.  Using these cameras preserves colour vision, which gives a more natural looking image that is easier to interpret.  However, camera models vary greatly when it comes to low-light performance so it is crucial to research this aspect when considering a purchase – generally, the larger the image sensor, the better the camera will perform in low light conditions. 

Care should be taken when adjusting ISO settings to brighten the image, as it can easily introduce excessive image noise which can obscure detail.  Another consideration could be what post processing is done to images- where possible any AI or software image enhancements should be disabled to keep the raw image file as unaltered as possible.  Some AI software, particularly built into new cameras (particularly modern smartphones) will interpret the image data and give an approximate image that doesn’t reflect reality- leading in extreme cases to a form of “digital pareidolia”.

Ultimately, while these cameras can be useful, their performance in low light cannot match a dedicated night vision capable device in dark environments.

Portable Lighting Solutions

Where existing lighting is insufficient, investigators may need supplemental light sources. These range from small handheld torches and camera-mounted lights to powerful floodlights.

Handheld or camera mounted lights provide flexibility and ease of deployment, but care must be taken as the mobile light will likely cause abnormal and shifting shadows which could be misinterpreted and complicate analysis.  Stationary floodlights, if used, should be positioned with care to ensure that light is well distributed- these lights are generally quite powerful and cast a harsh light which can dazzle, but also create new shadows which would need to be considered.  Also, power requirements for stationary setups could be an issue, particularly if the reason there isn’t an already installed lighting setup on site is because of a limited or unreliable power supply.

Integrating Subjective Experience with Technological Data

The use of good quality audio and visual technology in low-light conditions can now mean that the subjective experience of ghost hunting does not necessarily need to be completely discarded in favour of obtaining reliable investigative data.  However, these methods need to be effectively planned and deployed.  It is vitally important to understand the settings and capabilities of the equipment being used, as well as consideration given to whether the benefits of deploying each technology outweigh the practical limitations.

Combining high quality video and audio data with the first-hand witness impressions allows investigators to correlate the data sets together. Good quality video data allows for later follow up to either debunk or confirm experiences, which can offset the sensory loss of humans operating with impaired vision.

Consistency Over Big Swings

The human eye can adjust relatively well to low-light conditions. However, sudden transitions from bright lighting to darkness can result in “momentary blindness,” where the eye takes time to adapt. In those moments of disorientation, an investigator could be rendered ineffective while waiting for their vision to adjust, so care should be taken when transitioning between lighting extremes. Additionally, overly bright areas—such as environments with portable lighting setups—can make shadowed regions appear darker, creating blind spots that obscure parts of the surroundings.

Maintaining steady, low-level ambient light can help keep the eye acclimated to the darkness while allowing investigators to perceive their environment without harsh light-shadow transitions. This approach is particularly useful in locations where good quality lighting is not available or practical, especially when the focus of the investigation is on sound anomalies, as mentioned earlier. A stable lighting setup also complements technology such as night vision, ensuring reliable visual data capture while preserving the sensory experience and making it easier to focus on audible cues.

However, where good quality lighting is readily available, investigators should use it to its full advantage. A well-lit environment minimizes the risks associated with low visibility, prevents unnecessary complications, and allows for a safer and more straightforward investigation. Additionally, by tailoring lighting strategies to the specific demands of the location, investigators can avoid the need for disorienting transitions between light and dark areas, further optimizing the overall experience.

Either way, when it comes to lighting, the key is consistency wherever possible. Consistency in lighting not only minimises the need for camera adjustments but also reduces the issues caused by sudden shifts between light and dark conditions. Whether relying on steady ambient light or making full use of existing lighting, the choice of strategy should always be tailored to the demands of the investigation, ensuring reliable data capture without compromising safety or sensory awareness.

Conclusion

Paranormal investigation often necessitates working during nighttime in dark environments, and as such, atmospheric immersion comes with the territory. Because of this, there is a delicate balance needed between subjective experience and robust technical methodology.

Modern camera technology provides powerful tools to address the limitations of operating in darkness. When combined effectively with a well-managed level of ambient lighting, it is possible to obtain good quality and comprehensive visual data without compromising the sensory experience of the investigation. Steady low-light conditions may be more effective in locations where ambient light is scarce or non-existent, especially when investigating sound anomalies or navigating setups with varying light-dark transitions. However, good quality lighting should always be considered where available, as it provides a safer and more reliable visual environment.

While the temptation exists in a fully scientific approach to investigation to eliminate the subjective experience completely, this may be a mistake, given that most paranormal experiences are intrinsically subjective in nature. By blending the subjective with carefully planned technical methods, investigators can correlate firsthand impressions with reliable data, striking the right balance between the thrill of ghost hunting and the rigor of investigative practices. The choice of tools, from night vision cameras to expanded spectrum imaging, requires thoughtful consideration of their strengths and limitations to ensure credible data collection.

Mastering this balance is essential to gaining a greater understanding of the unknown, ensuring both the emotional and technical aspects of paranormal investigations are integrated harmoniously.

Have you ever conducted or experienced a paranormal investigation in low-light conditions? Share your thoughts, techniques, or stories in the comments—I’d love to hear how you navigate the darkness!