photograpy

 

Kirlian Photography 

Kirlian photograpy is a fascinating subject and it has so far defied any attempts at categorization. As such, Kirlian photography cannot be conclusively defined as being a mainstream scientific discipline nor can it be marginalized for being solely pseudo-scientific.

History of Kirlian Photography

Many people are surprised to learn that the history of Kirlian photography goes back well over a hundred years. Alternative names for Kirlian photography which predate the more well-known name are electrophotographhy and corono-photography.

The first experiments with the technique that would come to be known as Kirlian photography were undertaken by Czech scientists in the mid-1800s. These experiments with high-voltage currents and photographic film continued to be conducted throughout Europe until they were perfected by the Russians Seymon Kirlian and his wife in 1939.

The Technique and Process

The Kirlian process is a procedure for creating contact printing using high energy. The procedure needs putting a subject atop of a metal sheet with an electrical current. The product to be taken is then placed straight on top of the pellicle (a fancy term for film). Great current is temporarily applied to the metallic sheet, thus creating an electrical discharge which will be visible on the photo-sensitive film. The corona created between the product and the plate is taken by the pellicle. The image that results is a Kirlian photo of the subject.

Auras or Conductivity of Electrolytes

Many scientists believe that the results of Kirlian photography can be explained by the presence of moisture in the organic subject. In support of this hypothesis they offer the fact that experiments which have measured the liquid content of a subject to be filmed have shown a high correlation between the coronal intensity of a subject and its relative moisture content. In short, the wetter the object, the greater the Kirlian effect in the photo.

However, the moisture content of a leaf does not explain the results of the so-called Torn Leaf Experiment. In this experiment, a piece of a leaf is torn off and then a Kirlian photo is taken of the leaf shortly thereafter. Surprisingly, the photo appears to show an intact leaf, almost as if the leaf's energy field were still complete despite the physical absence of that part of the leaf. Such results seem to support the theory that all life exists primarily on the level of energy with the apparent physical realities being of secondary importance.

Interpretations and Conclusions

It is hard to come firmly down on either side of the fence of the discussion although the existence of the Kirlian effect seems to lend support to those who believe in auras. Furthermore, the efficacy of energy work such as reiki, acupressure and acupuncture seems to be explained by the existence of subtle energies. Only time and further experimentation will really tell but Kirlian photography reveals that the universe is more wonderous than many of us believe