Hi Barb and Janet,
As a paranormal investigator with over 25 years of experience, I can tell you it doesn't take even a smidge of psychic ability to be able to take photos and have orbs or misty forms show up in them. It does help to have some sensitivity to ghosts and spirits because it gives you a sense of which direction to turn and take the photos.
Often, the best photos are taken by people who are living in the haunted house, rather than the photos taken by the paranormal investigator. It isn't unusual to take photos at a big family event, such as a wedding or christening, and have orbs or mists show up. Our family members who've already crossed over often show up for family celebrations. A little thing like crossing over shouldn't keep people we love from celebrating with us :-)
One of the easiest places to capture paranormal photos are in cemeteries at night. This isn't a technique available to everyone. I live in a small town and have access to small cemeteries in rural areas. People who live in cities usually can't get in at night or it isn't safe. If you decide to do this, don't go alone. It's safer and you're less likely to scare yourself if you have company. You'd be surprised how tranquil cemeteries are at night. In decades of doing this more times than I can count, I've only been scared in one cemetery which was actually haunted by ghosts. The other cemeteries weren't haunted. They contained crossover points where spirits from the other side are moving back and forth as they visit family here. (I know, there's a bigger explanation needed for this concept).
Take your camera (I recommend a point and shoot, 35 mm camera, good flash, and 800 speed film). Go at dusk so you can get the lay of the land. Wait patiently until it is pitch dark. Take photos anywhere you get the urge to take them and see what shows up when you get them developed. This is a very brief explanation of a technique for getting paranormal photos. There is much more detail and in depth explanations of theories about ghosts and hauntings, along with stories of actual investigations in my book.
For examples of photos I've taken using this same technique, please visit my website:
www.smalltownghosts.com When my book was to be published, I submitted 70 photos I wanted included. To save cost, my publisher didn't even put a third of them in. So, I put them all on my website, enlarged, and in living color (pun intended).
Good luck and happy ghost hunting!
Barb Huyser
www.smalltownghosts.com