Kirlian/Aura Photography

Oryx

Ive read a little bit about these photographic techniques, and Im posting here, because in spite of my background, such things always leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially at psychic fairs where large amounts are charged for aura photographs. I find the kirlian technique very interesting, but the other aura one always seemed a bit off to me, it looks like a quirky computer/electrically generated image passed off as something else entirely. Even though the phenomenon of the aura interests me, and I do think there is basis for believing we have 'something' like an aura around us. (Although I dont think I would take on board everything the books on it say.)

From what Ive read, it seems that there is a scientific basis for the images produced, but the interpretation of those images is what is open to question. Also there were interesting snippets of research mentioned where, particularly with kirlian photography, an assessment of the physical and emotional state of a person could be made based on the corona shown around them.

Im not adding links here as the ones I got were the usual wiki and google hits, which can be found in a click. Im sure others here have got better resources than my quick web trawl threw up.

I am looking for a sceptical take on these, and for someone to explain the science of what it is and what it is not, in lay terms. Something a bit more detailed than 'its bogus'.:)

El_mariachi

http://skepdic.com/kirlian.html
http://skepdic.com/auras.html
The skeptics dictionary always has concise explanations. It's where I go when I'm not familiar with a subject like this.

But your definitely right most of the bs in aura photography comes for the interpretation.
Works similarly to Astrology
http://skepdic.com/barnum.html
http://skepdic.com/forer.html
And maybe a little of the good old Cold Reading.