THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE RON BOWERS PHOTOS

     Does anyone really know what an "authentic" apparition photo looks like? With so many perusing the web and making split second decisions, almost always with the words "That's fake", would we know something authentic if we saw it? Isn't it possible that one day you might pick up a camera and take a random shot and come up with an apparition? If you did, wouldn't you want people to do a little research before calling you a "fake" or saying that you are trying to destroy the good name of the paranormal by creating something so "obviously" unbelievable? If you suddenly were getting many apparitions in photos you were taking, wouldn't you want to be given the benefit of the doubt? What if you had witnesses to the photos you were taking, perhaps friends, acquaintances, or possibly an owner of an establishment who requested you to come in to take photos and their names, along with yours, are dragged through the paranormal mud because no one is willing to ask questions or do any research?
     The controversy over Ron Bowers being a psychic photographer as well as mediums and psychics who have endured the same controversy isn't anything new. If Ron Bowers or a medium or a psychic cannot perform at 100% capacity and 100% accuracy all the time, they are considered "fake". They are constantly under attack or being tested to see if they can "really" do what they claim. Yet, as humans, we obviously cannot perform at 100% capacity and our decisions in life are certainly not 100% accurate all the time, so why should someone who has developed a gift be required to do so? We all have psychic ability of some sort, so why aren't we all able to do what these individuals can do?
     Modern technology has made it very difficult on those, like Ron Bowers, who are really out there trying to show what they are being given. One thing to remember, however, is not everyone is a "master" with technology. If nothing else, before deciding on whether a photo is a fake, get to know the person and find out if it's possible that they could have "doctored" a photo. Ask questions. Do a little research.   Very few are willing to do the leg work and it has become very clear that our society really isn't based on the creed that someone is "innocent until proven guilty". These people are immediately guilty of fraud because someone made a split second decision. If you are inclined to make this kind of split second decision, why bother with the paranormal at all since you will never find anything authentic no matter what you see.
     Since the publishing of the book, "A Gift from Spirit" in 2007, there has been a great deal of controversy concerning the photos by Ron Bowers shown on this website. In 2007, a TAPS forum latched onto the subject of the photos and I came across it through viewing this site's stats. In reading the messages posted on this forum concerning the photos, I was amazed at what I was seeing. Those involved viewed the photos and, immediately, came back with "They are fake". My amazement was not over that statement, but over the fact that what they were basing their decision on was the fact that today's technology can create photos very easily. Obviously, this can't be denied, but in the search for true paranormal evidence, I would have expected much more from these people before making a decision.
     I spent a bit of time on the forum and, giving the benefit of the doubt, asked if anyone had bothered to do any research into the photos before making their decision. The answer was no from all who bothered to respond and there were many. I asked if they were all serious about their interest in the paranormal and received a definite yes. I, then, asked how, if they were so serious about the paranormal, could they make a decision that something was "fake" without researching any of the facts behind the photos. The response was that it wasn't necessary to research because they knew the photos were fake. I asked how they knew this and the response was that it was easy to tell just by looking at the photos. That's when I began to fill them in as to who Ron Bowers was, how he takes his photos, the witnesses he has had standing behind him as he took the photos, etc. The response to what I shared was that they didn't know me so could not believe what I was saying. Even Angie Christie, this site's Spiritualist Medium, wrote on the forum as she was one of the witnesses to several of Ron's photos, seeing them in the camera's viewfinder over his shoulder as he snapped the photos. She was not accepted either as they stated they didn't know her so could not believe her. This is when I offered them the names of other witnesses to contact for themselves to allow them to make an "informed" decision. This was not accepted either - no one wanted to actually do the leg work to determine if Ron's photos were actual apparitions or fake. It was much easier to just say they were fake because finding out otherwise might make them open their minds to what they claim to believe in or have an interest in, but truly can't face.
     At one point, a gentleman from the forum contacted me by email and asked some questions of his own concerning how the photos had been proven authentic. I explained to him that a photographer in England had examined Ron's photos and could find no tampering. This gentleman requested an original photo which I willingly gave to him. What he wanted to see was the activity that took place from the camera to the computer to the photo program used to lighten, clarify or enlarge the photo. All of this can be seen from the original photo if you know where to look. This information will show if a photo has been "created" or actually "taken" and whether it has remained in its original state. The photo I sent to him had no tampering whatsoever within the background information and I never heard from the gentleman again.
     It is now 2011 and Ron's photos are still being questioned. As I looked over this site's stats, I discovered that people were coming to view Ron's photos from a site called "Ghost Theory." Curious, I clicked on the link to find out what the site was. That is when I came across an article by Javier Ortega concerning a photo and story that had been written by Nina Morgan and printed in the Braintree and Witham Times newspaper in England about the photo below. This photo was taken at the Horse and Groom Pub in Braintree by Ron who had been invited by the owner to come in and see what he could pick up from the place.

     Javier Ortega referenced a small portion of the original article in his article then continued on to give his opinion on the above photo and the other photos on this website. One of his statements was as follows: "The image looks like an action-figure that was held too close to that camera, causing the blurred image of a human silhouette. Could this be a ghost that was captured during an investigation, or some trick photography? Well a little Google search on 'Ron Bowers' reveals a bit more information to help us decide. Ron Bowers comes up listed as a 'Psychic Photographer' over at the NightWatchmanChronicles web site. Bowers' evidence that is posted on the website seems to be similar in nature. Almost all photos displayed resemble the blurred human shape we see above, or they show some anomaly that looks superimposed."
     A bit further on, Javier Ortega states: "Spirit photography was a big business during the late 19th century. Psychics would claim to be able to photograph a loved one who has recently died for a price. Many of the photos, were crude attempts at capitalizing on a person's sorrow. It all becomes a bit clearer now as I see that there are several books for sale on the website."
     I found the information about 19th century spirit photography quite interesting as it is implying that Ron Bowers, because he calls himself a psychic photographer, is collecting money from those in grief - taking advantage of their loss and this without one shred of evidence. Where did Javier Ortega come up with this by looking at a photo of an English Pub? Where did he come up with this when looking at the photos on this website? These photos are from museums, castles, pubs and airfields - places that Ron Bowers finds interesting due to their rich history. Where is there any evidence that Ron Bowers accepted money for any of his photos or, for that matter, from grieving people? There is, by the way information about the spirit photography referenced here by Javier Ortega in the book "A Gift from Spirit" as well as some photos from those times. This was brought up in the foreground of the book to explain the difference between that kind of spirit photography and what Ron does - photographing historical places of interest.
     Oh yes, there is the statement about "several books for sale on the website". Although Ron Bowers and I have the book "A Gift from Spirit" for sale on this website which shares the information on history of a location, the haunted legends about a location and how each photo came to be, the books that Javier Ortega was referring to were the paranormal ones placed on this website for other authors as a free service. These books, easily seen on February 6th when Javier Ortega wrote his article, currently cannot be accessed as I have been revamping the entire site since the early part of January, but they will be there again. What did he expect to find on a "paranormal" based website if not for books on the paranormal? As you will see below I, again, gave the benefit of the doubt as I did with the TAPS forum and emailed Javier Ortega concerning his article.

Hi Javier.

I am writing to you concerning the short article you added to your site on Ghost Theory on February 6, 2011 entitled, “Horse & Groom Pub Ghost Photo” written originally by Nina Morgan. It was interesting and I thank you for mentioning our website. There are, however, a few questions I must pose to you.

Whenever I see an article like this, I wonder why the person who wrote it never actually does any research. Before adding this article and a little of your own touch, did you interview Ron Bowers yourself, by chance? Did you accompany him to observe what he does when he goes out taking photos? Other than looking at the photos on our website, did you listen to the MP3 interview that was done with him? Do you, in fact, know anything about him? Did you read the book, “A Gift from Spirit?” Did you find out if Ron even charges for going into the pubs to do his picture taking? Did you find out all the facts about Ron Bowers before throwing him to the wolves?

Having been a newspaper feature writer, I understand the importance of writing a factual piece. I did not have the luxury of creating my own thoughts for a story when it meant the reputation of the people I wrote about nor would I have ever assumed that I could write about someone without getting their side of the story. In fact, even an opinion piece such as your own should have something to back up its content as it gives what you write more credence.

From this end, it would have been professional of you to, perhaps, contact our website as well to get a few facts for your article. Ron Bowers does not own any part of our website. I co-authored a book with him (A Gift from Spirit) and offer that for sale on the site as well as showing some of his photos because we choose to. In your article you stated, “It all becomes clearer now as I see that there are several books for sale on the website.” In point of fact, concerning Ron Bowers, there is one and that statement, without any research on your end should have been left out of the otherwise fairly intelligent writing.
With this in mind, I believe I will share an article of my own on our website that will definitely be referencing yours. If nothing else, it will drive our readers to visit your site, but they may be viewing it a bit differently after reading my article. It’s a shame that people make such split second decisions without researching and it is truly a disservice to readers who trust the writer.

Take care.

Blessings.

Chris Schumacher

Javier Ortega responded very shortly to my email with the following:

Hello Chris,

Thanks for writing.

Please don't take things personally. I don't know you or Mr. Bowers. The fact that the images were posted online, gives me the liberty to comment on them. My short and abrupt article was not intended as a full-on investigative piece on what you or Mr. Bowers do. The article was only concerning the evidence that was put forth as proof of the paranormal.

Given that my website reviews paranormal news, stories and evidence, it was only meant to alert my readers of inconclusive photographs being pushed as something paranormal, or dare I say...proof. Of course, every now and then we write full investigative articles.

I did review the website and found plenty of photographs that are considered (by myself and readers) as poor evidence. The purpose of GhostTheory is to seek the truth. Every now and then we debunk several high profile cases.

In your case, this was a quick blurb. Why? Because these types of evidence are uploaded daily and passed around as "proof positive" of ghosts. This cannot be. There really has to be strict scientific protocol followed when claiming proof of the paranormal. So with hundreds of articles posted daily on the web, I mostly skip them. Every so often I pick one at random and take a good guess as to what it could be, not what the owners claim it is.

Therefore...

I have no personal problems with you or Mr. Bowers. In fact, if you can come up with stronger evidence, I would gladly post that up on my website. I've been doing this for a long time and can only speak from experience. If you can come up with a more concrete proof, then my primary impression of you and Mr. Bowers' intentions would change. Since only a few highly questionable photos exist and the website nightwatchmanchronicles.com is filled with books on such proof, then I can only draw a single conclusion.

I don't mind you posting your opinion about my website. GhostTheory receives 6-7,000 readers daily and has a wider audience through social media.

-Javier

GhostTheory.com

I sent another email off to Javier Ortega in response to his email, but have not received a response to this one.

Hi Javier.

Thank you for your response. Believe me when I say that I never felt you had anything specific against myself or Ron Bowers. However, as stated previously, split second decisions tend to make for wonderful controversy, but in my own respect for writing and sharing the truth to the best of my ability, I feel that research is an important aspect no matter what the subject. Especially when it involves someone’s reputation.

I don’t believe there is anywhere on my website that states that Ron’s photos are “proof” of the paranormal. This is not to say that I believe as you do as I have done my own research concerning Ron and have witnesses to his photography as well. It does not matter. The fact is, since you wrote the “blurb”, it is not up to myself or Ron Bowers (unless he chooses to) to prove anything to you or your readers. No matter what we would provide, it still would come from two people you do not know. Without doing research of your own, you will never know the people or the person behind what you are attempting to debunk. If you want proof positive for your readers, then it is up to you to get it since what I say or what Ron Bowers says is not going to convince you of anything. You said it yourself, “There really has to be strict scientific protocol followed when claiming proof of the paranormal.” If this is the case, then where is your scientific proof that these photos are not real? Where is your research?

As for the books that are so numerous on our website, this is a free service we offer to authors who wish to share books they have written concerning the paranormal which is based on the interests of those who enjoy reading them from Schiffer Publishing. Schiffer Publishing finds like-minded sites and sends free books for promotion of their authors. I assist these authors because I am an author. There is nothing more than that behind the books you see on the site. Sometimes it’s nice for people to just have a website where they can share their experiences and allow those who read them to make up their own minds about what they believe.

Could you, by chance, point me in the direction on your website to one or more of the full investigative articles you have done? I would be interested in examining them. Perhaps this would give me a different view from what I have now concerning the website you share with so many viewers. Like you, I need proof of your knowledge concerning the paranormal as you have stated the same about myself and/or Ron Bowers. The following statement makes me question your professionalism: Since only a few highly questionable photos exist and the website nightwatchmanchronicles.com is filled with books on such proof, then I can only draw a single conclusion. A person who is dedicated to “scientific proof” of the paranormal should be researching much further regardless of how many cases or articles they come across. If the articles are done just to fill space, this is a disservice to the readers who have a right to have all the facts and be allowed to make up their own minds.

Since so many of your readers and yourself do not believe that the photos are legitimate, I would think you would wish to determine for yourself whether or not your “blurb” was written without thought to someone’s reputation. As you could see from the original article, Ron Bowers is not rich – he is an alarm engineer with four young children and a wife to support. If he were making money hand over fist, why would he still be working and why would he not be on a much larger website than ours? Though we have grown greatly since 2004, we still have a long way to go. Just food for thought.

Thank you for your response and I look forward to seeing your investigative articles. Take care.

Blessings.

Chris Schumacher

As I stated previously, I did not receive a response to the last email nor did Javier Ortega send me links to his investigative articles as I had requested. Perhaps he is just busy and did not have the time to do so.
The fact is here, whether it is Ron Bowers' photos we are talking about, someone else's photos, or any other kind of paranormal evidence that comes to our attention, if we make split second decisions to their falsehood, we may be missing out on something that could prove what we've all been searching for. Of course, it really is a lot less work to glance at something and make a decision than it is to really delve into determining the truth. But, then, maybe something within us doesn't really want to know the truth... fear perhaps?
See article from Ghost Theory HERE