Kirlian Photography: An Introduction
What is Kirlian Photography? Kirlian photography is a elevated voltage, communication imprint photography.
Kirlian photography is named following Semyon Davidovich Kirlian and his spouse Valentina who began their activity alongside elevated voltage photography in 1939. Kirlian collaborated alongside his spouse for complete 30 years evolving equipment and studying electro-photography.
Kirlian's activity was archetypal made known to the broad community in this nation by a publish published in 1970 by Shelia Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder titled "Psychic discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain". Kirlian activity became so fine cognize that the site of elevated voltage electro-photography is called Kirlian Photography.
Although Kirlian wasn't the archetypal to study electro-photography. The site of electro-photography can be traced rear to the delayed 1700s. At this period Georg Christoph Lictenberg noted the pictures made in powder create by fixed power and electric sparks. Nicola Tesla (1880) photographed many corona discharges using his celebrated Tesla coil. In the first 1900s, Russian investigator Yakov Narkevich-Todka exhibited electro photographs he had made. A small later, Dr. F.F. Strong of Tufts University Medical School used a Tesla coil to create electro-photographs of his hand.
Making Kirlian Photographs
The procedure is simple. Sheet movie is placed on top of a metal element plate, called the discharge or movie plate. The entity to photo is placed on top of the film. If the entity to be Kirlian photographed is inanimate, specified as a coin or leaf, a earth dirt is connected to the object. See fig 1 below. High voltage is applied to the dish momentarily to create an exposure. The corona discharge between the entity and discharge dish passes through and is recorded onto the film. When the movie is developed you have a Kirlian photo of the object.
The Kirlian process, being a communication imprint process, doesn't necessitate the use of a camera or lens. However whenever a transparent electrode is substituted for the discharge dish it is imaginable to use a norm camera (with a lamp setting) or video camera.
Figure 1
Paranormal Claims
I was archetypal introduced to Kirlian photography, by the publish titled "Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain" by Shelia Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder in the first 1970's. In it many paranormal claims were made concerning the resulting Kirlian images. For instances, it was stated that the Kirlian photo could foretell sickness in flora and animals before bodily manifestations of the sickness became apparent. I have experimented alongside Kirlian photography complete the years. I have not observed any "paranormal" evidence of this phenomena.
One must keep in intellect that most observable Kirlian phenomena does not necessitate any paranormal or bio-plasma site to be explained. For instance, emphasis or the "act of lying" can effortlessly be detected alongside a lie detector that relies on measuring the alter in a person's galvanic skin resistance. Stress may additionally be seen in a Kirlian photo as a alter in the corona discharge (aura), nevertheless this alter is effortlessly explained by the alter in a person's skin opposition without the need of evoking any metaphysical properties.
The Phantom Leaf Experiment
The one observed phenomena and, the most amazing assertion (in my opinion) is known as the "phantom leaf" experiment. Here a small part of a leaf is cut off; the leaf is afterward photographed using Kirlian photography. In a small percent of cases the cut part of the leaf appears in the photo as a ghostly apparition. The appearance of the cut part of the leaf, as claimed by the Soviet researchers is evidence of an ethereal bio-plasma body.
Although a few Kirlian researchers have claimed to copy the phantom leaf test in their own labs, the most reported prosperous results (phantom leaf photographs) are from Soviet researchers. The exact experimental parameters (voltage, frequency, etc) needed to get phantom leafs are either not accessible or didn't activity for me.
Kirlian Photography Devices for Sale on the Internet
There are Kirlian devices being sold on the net today. To market their devices the corona discharge in the resulting kirlian photo is claimed to be paranormal or clasp data that can be decrypted by the company's Kirlian researchers. All my investigation to date shows the corona discharge can be explained by employing known bodily laws, akin changes in subjects skin opposition (due to factors like; stress-lying, illness, fatigue, liquor consumption, etc) without the necessity of invoking paranormal (bio-plasma) factors. Some another changeable factors influencing the resulting Kirlian image including the object's force against film, air humidity, air pressure, voltage, frequency, and visibility time.
This business additionally sells Kirlian devices and components, but we do not create any "paranormal" claims to try to market our devices. Our devices are sold to create brilliant Kirlian photographs. If one wants to do investigation alongside our devices that fine also. Just cognize we create no assertion that any explanation of the corona discharge is because of item another than norm changeable bodily parameters as outlined previously.
Building a essential manual Kirlian device
The next leaf we volition commencement the building of a uncomplicated manual kirlian device. This equipment uses a power division power supply, elevated voltage ignition coild, copper clad commission and a fistful of components.
Building a Simple Kirlian Photography Device
The Kirlian equipment we are construction uses a HV transformer. It is power division powered, but don't let that lull you into a false awareness of safety. The Kirlian equipment generates pulses of elevated voltage that can provision a nasty shock. Still an advantage of being power division powered is portability.
In supplement we volition build a transparent electrode that allows one to use a norm camera (with lamp setting) to grasp Kirlian images.
The illustrative is shown in Figure 2. A completed circuit can be seen below the schematic. This is a uncomplicated manual device. It uses extremely few components. You would be difficult pressed to discover a simpler equipment that plant as well. The prototype is built on a sole part of timber measuring *" x 10" x �" thick (see photo). The batteries B1 and B2 are 67.5-volt photo (instrument) batteries wired in sequence to create 135 volts.
Figure 2
If the photo batteries are not accessible you may desire to try wiring 10 or additional 9-volt batteries in series. The discharge volition not be as intense, but it volition work. Another choice is to obtain the output from a 120V/24V stage downward transformer connected to a voltage quadrupler. With the 24V (AC) output wired to a voltage multiplier (4x), the component should create concerning 100 volts that can be used for the power provision for this Kirlian device.
The capacitors C1-C4 are wired in parallel as shown in Figure 2.
The transformer T1 is a elevated voltage auto-transformer. Auto as in self-inductive, not auto, akin automobile. The T1 transformer has three wires coming out of it: two enamel wires and one green insulated cable from the center. The green insulated cable is the elevated voltage cable that connects to the discharge plate. The two enamel wires are the chief wires that are connected to toggle SW1. There is no polarity alongside the enamel wires. So it doesn't matter which enamel cable is connected to the switch, and which is connected to the capacitors. Either way the circuit volition function properly.
Figure 3
The toggle toggle SW1 is a sole rod twice throw "momentary" contact. The toggle has solder wires on the bottom, see Figure 3. This particular toggle doesn't fastener or remain in the contrary position. A built in fountain immediately brings the toggle rear to its first position. To run the device, toggle the toggle on and off. When the toggle is in the "on" position, it closes a current way to the HV transformer and capacitor bank.
The toggle is crucial and must be wired correctly to get maximum benefit. Looking at the illustrative shows how the toggle appears in its resting state. In the resting province the batteries are detached from the circuit. This preserves the existence of the batteries. Also the discharge way from the capacitors is closed. This prevents a possible daze hazard from being stored in the capacitors, to be unleashed on an unsuspecting experimenter.
To mount the toggle to the commission a metal element power division clip (9-volt) is used, see parts list. The clip is disposed to create a U form as shown in Figure 3. The center gap in the clip is enlarged to fit the toggle SW1. A gap is drilled in all ear of the clip to safe it to the commission alongside two timber screws. The toggle is secured to the clip, and afterward the gathering is secured to the board.
Below is an example of a photo taken alongside the Kirlian device.
Exposure Plate
The visibility (or discharge) dish is made from 4" x 6" sole aligned copper clad board. The elevated voltage output cable (green) from transformer T1 is soldered to the border of the copper clad board. The copper flank of the commission is placed visage up and glued to the timber board.
After the glue dries, the discharge dish is covered alongside a lean synthetic panel about .005 inch thick. The synthetic should broaden at smallest 1" former the discharge dish on all sides. The panel is secured in location by taping or gluing it down.
The thickness of the synthetic panel isn't critical. Anything about this thickness that volition forestall the entity from making straightforward communication alongside the discharge plate. Sheets are accessible from many art and example provision stores. The synthetic panel may be transparent or opaque, it doesn't matter.
To test the circuit, nexus a cable to item A shown on the illustrative and location the another cable concerning ¼" distant from the discharge dish or the uninsulated end of the elevated voltage wire. Note the discharge dish should not have the synthetic panel covering it during the test. Every period you tap the toggle SW1 you should see a spark jump from the HV cable to the discharge plate.
When the circuit checks out properly, mount the components on the commission using glue or epoxy.
Coat any exposed wires alongside a synthetic spray to provision insulation (No-Arc spray is accessible at your local Radio-Shack stores.)
Cover discharge dish alongside synthetic sheet.
Sheet movie used for Kirlian Photography
Black & White Film Kodalith 2556 Ortho movie category 3 is a elevated difference B/W graphics arts movie accessible in a 4" x 5" sheets. This movie is ideal for beginners since you can use a red safelight and not activity in complete darkness. If a safelight isn't readily accessible you can try using a red LED, neon lamp or cover red acetate synthetic complete a dim 4 watt bulb.
I advise all beginners to commencement alongside dreary and pale ortho film. It is small costly and easier to activity alongside than color panel film. You additionally have the chance to create the movie to get contiguous feedback. Someone who starts off shooting color movie must delay to get the movie create to see what has been recorded.
Developing B/W ortho movie is easy. The chemistry plant quickly and is uncomplicated and forgiving. You lone need two chemicals; developer and fixer. A halt bathing is normally employed in between these two steps, but isn't entirely necessary.
Black and White (film or prints) is not as spectacular as color. The cognition one gains by being capable to detect all the steps under a safelight is priceless whenever one has to activity in complete gloom alongside color film. Using a elevated voltage power provision in the dreary can be a beautiful daunting task, so it's finest to familiarize yourself alongside the procedure in the smallest costly manner.
Color Film – Daylight or Tungsten Balance Color movie requires exposures to be made in total darkness. Working in total gloom can be a problem. Sometimes I sandwich the color movie between two dreary opaque sheets of document in total darkness, afterward rotate on the safelight. After I create my exposure, I rotate off the safelight and location the movie in a ray tight box for betterment in total darkness.
Both tungsten balance and daylight movie provision striking color transparencies. The tungsten balance movie normally produces colors in the yellows, oranges and reds. Daylight movie normally produces colors in the blues and greens.
Making Exposures Using Sheet Film
What you are photographing determines whether or not the entity engaged have to be grounded.
Whenever you photo a living topic (person, animal or pet) under no circumstances should that topic be restricted or be allowed to contact a dirt during exposure. Being in communication alongside a dirt volition guide to a nasty shock. Further, anyone alongside a bosom circumstance or pacemaker should consult alongside their chief attention doctor before photographing or allowing themselves to be photographed using this Kirlian device.
When photographing an inanimate entity specified as a coin, keys, leaf, etc. afterward nexus a dirt to the object. Grounding the entity produces a stronger corona discharge. You can use a natural dirt by connecting a cable to an earth ground, specified as a chilly h2o pipe. Or you can use a circuit dirt by connecting a cable to item B (see Figure 2) to the object.
Figure 4
Figure 4 illustrates the overview for making an exposure. In several cases you power location a flat panel of pane (or plastic) on top of the entity to create the entity lay flat on the movie and discharge plate.
Whether you're operating alongside dreary and pale or color film, location the movie emulsion flank up on the discharge plate. Place the entity you are photographing on top of the film. If the entity is inanimate, nexus a dirt cable to it. Flick the toggle SW1 concerning 10-20 times. Each period the toggle is flicked you should see a discharge between the entity and the discharge plate. This is what is being recorded on the film. Proper visibility is resolute by test and error, making adjustments accordingly.
Often times one uses B/W panel movie to decide the appropriate visibility afterward toggle to a color panel movie for the final shoot. Black and White ortho has the advantages of being capable to activity using a red harmless ray and effortlessly developed.
If you would akin to use a norm 35mm camera or video camera to document Kirlian pictures it is possible, but you need to build a transparent electrode.
The 35mm camera have to be a sole lens reflex (SLR) category alongside one or two close-up (macro) lens. In supplement the camera needs to have a Bulb (B) environment on its shutter speeds. The B environment keeps the shutter open for as lengthy as the shutter is held down.
Photographers typically use a cable publish connected to the shutter to create B exposures. Most cable releases can be set to keep the shutter near whenever archetypal pressed. The cable has a publish scheme the lensman hits to publish the cable and authorize the shutter to near following the visibility is made.
Kirlian Photography using a Transparent Discharge Plate
To obtain Kirlian photographs using a norm 35mm movie camera, digital camera or video camera, requires the use of a transparent discharge plate.
To fire Kirlian Photographs using a transparent discharge plate, the entity is placed on one flank and the camera on the other. The elevated voltage is applied to the transparent discharge dish and the camera shoots through the transparent discharge to grasp the corona discharge about the object, see fig 5 below.
A transparent discharge dish is constructed from three chief components; a 4" x 5" part of pane that has a transparent conductive covering (typically tin oxide) on one side, see parts list, a circle electrode made from lean copper sheeting or lean one aligned copper clad board, and a .005 thick part of transparent plastic. The transparency of our transparent discharge plates surpasses 90 percent.
The conductive tin oxide covering on the pane is delicate. The elevated voltages engaged in Kirlian photography can effortlessly vaporize the coating. To forestall this from happening attention must be exercise in the construction. If a firm electric association is not made between the tin oxide covering and the HV origin the association volition spark between the HV conductor and tin oxide coating, vaporizing the tin oxide covering in the process. This renders the electrode useless. Second a sole item association to the tin oxide covering doesn't activity for the identical reason. The item origin of the association initiates a spark afterward continues to journey vaporization the tin oxide coating. It's a small engaging to watch. Starting from the sole item association and continuing vaporizing the tin oxide until the HV origin can no longer spark (jump) throughout the distance. So soldering a cable immediately to the tin oxide volition not work.
The resolution is to create circle electrode that makes communication alongside the tin oxide covering on all of the pane edges. This is a ample exterior area electrode. A conductive argent epoxy is used to create a powerful mechanical and electric association between the circle electrode and the tin oxide pane electrode.
Making a Transparent Discharge Plate
Constructing A Transparent Electrode As stated previously, the transparent discharge dish is constructed from three chief components; a 4" x 5" part of pane alongside a transparent conductive tin oxide covering on one side, a rectangle circle electrode made from lean adhesive copper foil, that is 1/4 inch broad and 2 mils thick, and two .005 thick pieces of transparent plastic, as shown in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2
To create a small 4" x 5" transparent electrode, acquisition the 4" x 5" tin oxide pane (Figure 3). When you obtain the glass, be careful. The edges of the pane are sharp. It volition be unattainable to inform visually which flank of the pane has the conductive tin oxide coating.
So, to decide the tin oxide covering flank of the pane you need an ohmmeter. Inexpensive VOM's (volt-ohm-meters) are accessible from local electric store. Set the VOM to peruse OHMS on lowest opposition setting. Bring the two probes in communication alongside one flank of the transparent electrode material. The flank alongside the conductive covering volition deflect the meter, see fig below. The meter shown above(Figure 4) is on its lowest opposition environment and is showing a opposition of 165 ohms per inch.
The electrode is made from lean adhesive copper foil. You can effortlessly cut this matter alongside a scissors. Begin by cleaning the tin oxide glass, thoroughly so you have a fine exterior for the copper foil to adhere to. Re-clean the exterior throughout the gathering procedure to justify that no prints or lint are remaining on the glass.
The exterior size of the circle electrode is the identical size as the tin oxide glass, alongside a tab operating off on one end. To accomplish this, cut two 4 inch strips and two 5 inch strips of copper foil, equal to the dimension and width of the tin oxide glass. Remove the adhesive assistance and location foil alongside the border of the conductive flank of the glass, as shown in Figure 5. Cut a one inch part of copper foil and adhere it the lesser correct flank of the glass. Fold any excess foil in fractional to create the tab, see Figure 6.
Test gathering alongside an ohmmeter before proceeding. Touch the tab of the circle electrode alongside one investigation and contact the tin oxide covering alongside the other. You should display fine conductivity (low resistance). Next, solder about 18 inches of elevated voltage cable to the protruding tab. the cable should lay perpendicular to the copper tab as shown in Figure 7. Try to solder the cable so that it lays as near to the pane as possible. This volition nexus the transparent discharge dish to the HV origin whenever you are finished.
Figure 7 Since the conductive covering of the transparent electrode is susceptible we need to defend it. Purchase two sheets of transparent synthetic which is about .005 thick. Cut the synthetic panel to size adding 3/4 inch to all sides of the transparent electrode. Run a lean bead of apparent silicone adhesive about the border of the transparent electrode, on top of copper foil, as shown in Figure 8. Center the synthetic on top of the conductive tin oxide covering (Figure 9). Place a publish or flat entity onto the transparent electrode to clasp the gathering tight and together during the silicone cures. Curing period is about 12 - 24 hours.
Once the silicone is dry, reiterate this procedure on the contrary flank of pane by operating a bead of silicone about the border of pane and centering second part of synthetic on top of glass, as demonstrated in Figures 10 and 11. Place a publish or flat entity onto the transparent electrode to clasp the gathering tight and together during the silicone cures. Wait another 12 -24 hours.
You should now have the transparent electrode sandwiched between two sheets of transparent plastic. Next, inhabit the gap from the border of the pane to the exterior border of the synthetic sheets alongside silicone adhesive, see fig 12. Place a publish or flat entity onto the transparent electrode formerly again to clasp the gathering tight and together during the silicone cures. Allow to dry entirely before continuing.
Create a example for your transparent electrode by operating dreary electric strip alongside the edges of the transparent electrode to additional safe the synthetic sheets together (see Figure 14).
First, run the strip alongside the edges of the transparent electrode. When you attain the border that has the HV cable protruding from the side, use an Exacto blade to cut a piece in the tape, so that the strip can be secured to electrode without leaving a gap. Figures 14 -18 display this process.
Then, cover it about the pane on all flank to shield the area between the border of the electrode and anywhere the copper foil appears, as demonstrated in Figures 19 and 20.
The strip serves a dual purpose. First, it helps safe the synthetic sheets to the transparent electrode. Secondly, it provides insulation alongside the border of the electrode anywhere it is needed. You may desire to twice strip the border edges to provision an additional measure of insulation.
Using a Transparent Discharge Plate
The transparent electrode may be used alongside a assortment of High Voltage power supplies provided that it has an external HV guide to nexus to the transparent electrode. We obtain the HV using an alligator clip cable connecting to the cable or copper electrode of the elevated voltage power provision and nexus it to the tab of the transparent electrode. Typically the camera is located on the contrary flank of the operating surface. Because the electrode is transparent, you can fire through the electrode as if it were a pane of glass.
As an example, current is the procedure to fire a leaf. In this example the leaf is at dirt possible and the transparent electrode is at the HV potential. Make the set up in a area that can be made comparatively ray tight. The leaf is placed on a dreary non-reflecting, nonconductive surface. This improves backdrop contrast. The transparent electrode is placed complete the leaf. The lean synthetic panel flank on the electrode is placed on the leaf. The leaf is connected to dirt using by an alligator clip wire.
The camera is positioned complete the gathering (see Figure above). The perspective through the camera should lone display the entity under the transparent electrode. This is accomplished alongside a near up lens (macro); a 4+ adapter or a reversing ring. The camera must be manually focused onto the object. If an auto-focus camera is being used set it to manual operation.
Open the aperture (f-stop) of the camera as broad as imaginable (2.0 or 2.4). If you are using a digital camera manually set the visibility to 10-20 seconds. If you are using a movie camera, set the shutter to B (bulb) to create lengthy timed exposures. With the shutter set to B, The shutter remains open as lengthy as force is kept on the shutter. Using a shutter publish cable attached to the camera volition create taking pictures much easier. You can use any category of color movie in the camera. I powerfully advise using the fastest movie available, either ISO 1000 or ISO 1600.
Manually concentration the camera on the entity alongside the area lights on. After the camera is focused, close off all the area lights. Use a flashlight alongside a profound red display to navigate about the room. When you are by the camera rotate off the flashlight and open the shutter of the camera using the cable release. Now rotate on the elevated voltage power supply. Keep the hv power provision for the dimension of the visibility you are making (10-20 seconds. Next publish the shutter using the cable release. Turn on the area lights and set up your next picture.
Manual Kirlian Device
The method is akin to the one mentioned above. Manually concentration the camera on the entity alongside the area lights on. After the camera is focused, close off all the area lights. Use a flashlight alongside a profound red display to navigate about the room. When you are by the camera rotate off the flashlight and open the shutter of the camera using the cable release. Now beat the toggle on the manual Kirlian Device. Hit the toggle 50 to 100 X to build up a powerful depiction onto the film. Next publish the shutter using the cable release. Turn on the area lights and set up your next picture.
One clue I'd akin to continue along. If you are using a 35 mm movie camera, commencement all rotate of movie alongside a few accepted pictures. This allows the photo-lab to align the frames correctly on the machine. Tell the photo lab to imprint all frames, they may construe the glowing outlines and corona discharges as image errors and not imprint them.
The identical method described current for taking stills may additionally be used to movie genuine period Kirlian video.
One may dirt the entity you are photographing in any figure of ways. The grounding figures below illustrates two methods. The archetypal example shows the dirt cable immediately attached to the object. When shooting akin this many times the dirt cable volition be apparent in the photograph. To eliminate the cable in the photo I use the second method illustrated, a small gap is made in the dreary document background. The dirt cable is fed through the gap to contact the entity being photographed. Resting the entity on top of the dirt wire, gives a nice dreary backdrop and a dirt for the entity without any obtrusive wires. You may additionally use a small restricted copper dish in location of the cable as lengthy as the entity you are shooting makes communication alongside the dish through the gap of the dreary document background.
