Kirlian Photography

The Unseen Self, Revised:
Kirlian Photography Explained

Unlike many paranormal phenomena or strange scientific theories Kirlian photography gives visible and often stunning results. There is however still much debate as to what if anything these results actually mean.

What is Kirlian Photography?

The Kirlian effect was discovered accidentally in 1939 by Russian technician Semyon Kirlian. Together with his wife Kirlian proceeded to develop this effect into Kirlian photography.

Kirlian photography consists of high voltage contact print photography of living things. The result is a photograph in which the subject is surrounded by a multi-coloured aura similar to a corona effect.

Does Kirlian Photography Work?

Yes. Kirlian photography works - in the sense that it produces results. A better question would be "What value does Kirlian photography have?" There opinions are sharply divided.

Kirlian photographs are often described as having captured the aura of a living thing. Those with an interest in paranormal and psychic phenomena often claim that this aura can reveal much about the subject. There have even been claims that Kirlian photography can reveal parts of an object that are no longer physically present - for example a section of a leaf that has been torn off.

Other people are more sceptical about the value of Kirlian photography. They point out that it is simply a natural corona effect similar to that produced by a Van der Graaf generator. As such it can be explained quite easily by conventional science without needing to invoke the paranormal, psychic powers or supernatural auras.

In fact both sides are right. All living things do have an aura which is perfectly in keeping with modern scientific theories. This aura consists of a multitude of things including scent, micro-sounds of heartbeat etc and - important in this context - radiation, in particular heat and electricity. It does not seem unreasonable to suggest that this aura could react to and hence provide information about a person's emotional and physical state.

Perhaps instead of asking "Is Kirlian photography real?" we should be asking "Can we make use of this phenomenon?".