Ghost Hunters In Training
Lately I've been getting emails from people that want to learn how to ghost hunt like we do, basically. That's awesome!
I'm glad more people are getting into this hobby that has given me so much pleasure. I just wish I had more hunts to do that they could come along on.
But in the spirit of this, no pun intended, let me say a couple of things to maybe help out those that would like to be ghost hunters and don't know where to start.
First of all, check out the article I posted on the website, Ghost Hunter Tips. That needs to be updated horribly, and will be soon (hopefully). But it's a great place to start.
Also, know that I don't use highly sophisticated equipment, nor does Thea. Get yourself a digital camera, or any camera. Disposables are good enough, and a cheap route to go. I found a decent digital camera on ebay for $50. I could definately stand to get a better one, but for what I use it for and how many times I actually get to go on a hunt, it's fine and should be fine for a long time.
Plus, if you go on a hunt and have friends that want to go and don't have anything to do, they can take pictures for you. The more cameras you have, the better, because the more pictures you take, the better. Nevermind that that will leave your hands open so you can either take more pictures or take video or get EVP or whatever else it is you're doing.
I also have a camcorder. Something that's more like a luxury, though I need to get another one so I can edit the video. I bought a Hi-8 Handycam and it works wonderfully, but my laptop for some reason won't capture the audio, just the video. So whatever you get, make sure it's compatible with whatever video editing software you're using.
And for those who think they can't afford a camcorder, go to a CVS and get yourself one of those new disposable camcorders. They're only about $30. They do only record about a half hour of stuff, but what you record can be deleted, and the camcorder can be used over, up to a certain amount of times that I'm not sure of. But you can get what you record put onto a DVD at CVS (I'm pretty sure) for easier viewing and possible editing.
The last thing I use on hunts is a voice recorder. I got it at Wal-Mart for around $25 and those can be found anywhere. I prefer one with an external mic, but any will do. The only problem you can get with no external mic is, you might wind up recording the sound of the recorder while it's recording. But if you get a digital recorder, then you shouldn't have that problem. I think eventually I'm going to get myself a digital recorder, but what I have works.
That's all you need. You really don't need all of the fancy stuff. While Thea and I were at Waverly I seen a man that had a giant satellite that he walked around with that allowed him to hear everything. While that's a neat thing to have, and I'm sure it helps him, it's more stuff to carry. There's no really good way to mount that to something on you to free up a hand so you can take pictures or get video or even hold a flashlight.
Basically, just get what you feel comfortable with and what can help you to get the evidence that you are looking for. And don't get so much that you can't hold it all unless you don't plan on using it all at the same time, or plan on leaving something sit to record which is a great idea for getting something. Thea left her digital recorder in Waverly while we all went on a break and while nobody was in the building she got an EVP.
I hope this helps. Just know you don't need a ton of fancy stuff. And don't let the guys from TAPS make you feel like what you're doing or what you have is insignificant because they have thousands of dollars worth of stuff. They spent that money on their own and personally I think it's a little overkill. Plus for this second season of Ghost Hunters Sci-Fi gave them a bunch of "equipment cash" as well as some guy that they know that runs a store selling that type of stuff gave them a bunch of stuff for free. So unless you can get hooked up or have the extra cash... you really don't need it anyway.
Good luck with all that you do and always remember to be safe and ENJOY YOURSELF!!! Everyone enjoys Halloween when it comes around, but for ghost hunters, we enjoy it year round!
I'm glad more people are getting into this hobby that has given me so much pleasure. I just wish I had more hunts to do that they could come along on.
But in the spirit of this, no pun intended, let me say a couple of things to maybe help out those that would like to be ghost hunters and don't know where to start.
First of all, check out the article I posted on the website, Ghost Hunter Tips. That needs to be updated horribly, and will be soon (hopefully). But it's a great place to start.
Also, know that I don't use highly sophisticated equipment, nor does Thea. Get yourself a digital camera, or any camera. Disposables are good enough, and a cheap route to go. I found a decent digital camera on ebay for $50. I could definately stand to get a better one, but for what I use it for and how many times I actually get to go on a hunt, it's fine and should be fine for a long time.
Plus, if you go on a hunt and have friends that want to go and don't have anything to do, they can take pictures for you. The more cameras you have, the better, because the more pictures you take, the better. Nevermind that that will leave your hands open so you can either take more pictures or take video or get EVP or whatever else it is you're doing.
I also have a camcorder. Something that's more like a luxury, though I need to get another one so I can edit the video. I bought a Hi-8 Handycam and it works wonderfully, but my laptop for some reason won't capture the audio, just the video. So whatever you get, make sure it's compatible with whatever video editing software you're using.
And for those who think they can't afford a camcorder, go to a CVS and get yourself one of those new disposable camcorders. They're only about $30. They do only record about a half hour of stuff, but what you record can be deleted, and the camcorder can be used over, up to a certain amount of times that I'm not sure of. But you can get what you record put onto a DVD at CVS (I'm pretty sure) for easier viewing and possible editing.
The last thing I use on hunts is a voice recorder. I got it at Wal-Mart for around $25 and those can be found anywhere. I prefer one with an external mic, but any will do. The only problem you can get with no external mic is, you might wind up recording the sound of the recorder while it's recording. But if you get a digital recorder, then you shouldn't have that problem. I think eventually I'm going to get myself a digital recorder, but what I have works.
That's all you need. You really don't need all of the fancy stuff. While Thea and I were at Waverly I seen a man that had a giant satellite that he walked around with that allowed him to hear everything. While that's a neat thing to have, and I'm sure it helps him, it's more stuff to carry. There's no really good way to mount that to something on you to free up a hand so you can take pictures or get video or even hold a flashlight.
Basically, just get what you feel comfortable with and what can help you to get the evidence that you are looking for. And don't get so much that you can't hold it all unless you don't plan on using it all at the same time, or plan on leaving something sit to record which is a great idea for getting something. Thea left her digital recorder in Waverly while we all went on a break and while nobody was in the building she got an EVP.
I hope this helps. Just know you don't need a ton of fancy stuff. And don't let the guys from TAPS make you feel like what you're doing or what you have is insignificant because they have thousands of dollars worth of stuff. They spent that money on their own and personally I think it's a little overkill. Plus for this second season of Ghost Hunters Sci-Fi gave them a bunch of "equipment cash" as well as some guy that they know that runs a store selling that type of stuff gave them a bunch of stuff for free. So unless you can get hooked up or have the extra cash... you really don't need it anyway.
Good luck with all that you do and always remember to be safe and ENJOY YOURSELF!!! Everyone enjoys Halloween when it comes around, but for ghost hunters, we enjoy it year round!
2 Comments:
TRAIN ME!!!
Actually, I would like to see how to do it all "official like", with stuff and stuff.
Can't wait to get with yous guys...eventually. I'm cited bout this now...so I will be nagging ya til then. Adieu.
-Micah
Hey, that's fine! I can't wait until we can get together! Email me and let me know when your schedule is free and I'll plan something out. I have a few places I want to check out but have been kind of putting it off until the right time. No better time than to take someone new out!
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