Kirlian photography refers to the method of acquiring images without using conventional imaging film or a camera. During the late 1700s, Georg Lichtenberg experimented with the technique, as did Nicolas Tesla in the early 1900s. However, the unique process of obtaining images was named for Russian electrician and amateur inventor Semyon Kirlian because of the extent of his research. In 1939, Kirlian accidentally produced an image of an object on a photographic plate after exposing the plate to electrical current. The image on the glass appeared similar to a glowing halo.

The inventor and his wife assumed they were capturing the life forces contained within the object. His experiments included photographing a leaf at various intervals from freshly picked to wilted. As the leaf dried out, the image also diminished, which led Kirlian to the conclusion of an aura. During the 1970s, parapsychologists performed tests using Kirlian photography and expressed similar opinions. Modern day scientists concluded that any conductive object containing moisture or metal produced the same image results. Scientists compare Kirlian images to a natural phenomenon known as St. Elmo’s fire.

St. Elmo’s fire occurs during the conditions produced by a thunderstorm. The air becomes electrically charged with free-floating electron particles. Occasionally, these particles come in contact with inanimate objects, usually airplane wings, lightning rods or the masts of tall ships. When electrons collide with objects, the object in turn also releases electrons, which produces a bluish glow around the periphery.

Kirlian photography typically uses a device capable of emitting bursts of low amperage/high voltage alternating current ranging anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 volts. The current also has a frequency ranging between 100 and 200 kilowatts. Current Kirlian devices often make use of photographic film placed over the object and the discharge plate. Depressing the current discharge button creates the cold electron emission, which the film captures. Developing the film produces the Kirlian image.

Using a digital camera and a clear discharge plate, individuals also capture these images. Ports on modern Kirlian devices also allow users the ability of connecting the machine directly to a computer, which instantly produces images on the monitor. The colorations produced in the images vary with room temperature, humidity and particular objects. Many consider Kirlian photographs a unique art form.

Though having extremely high voltage, the low amperage emission allows Kirlian photographers the ability to capture human subjects. Fingerprints are most often photographed. Russian scientist Dr. Konstantin Korotokov further created the gas discharge visualization (GDV) technique for capturing larger Kirlian images. Using a specially designed camera and accompanying software, Korotokov captures images of an entire person or specific environmental locations.

Medical practitioners around the world continue research using the Korotokov method. Many believe the technique effectively determines the changing physiological changes in patients by producing varied coloured images.