Aural Photography/the Kirlian Effect -- what is it?

[Chris C]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian

You hear new agers talking about how your aura can be photographed, and talking about the "Kirlian effect" as a person's aura showing up in the picture. I've been googling stuff related to this for a bit and haven't really found a good debunking (i.e. an evidence-based explanation of what it actually is when this happens). I'm guessing it's something to do with people not understanding how their cameras work, but if you could explain it to me or direct me to somewhere that does, I'd greatly appreciate it. I see a few links to what appear to be scientific papers published on the subject, but I'd rather not have to dole out any cash for this one.

[Svartalf]

The Kirlian photographic process seems to be catching an electromagnetic spectrum different from visible light, in a manner akin to x ray or microwave "photographs" made in astronomy, and it records specificities of your body's electromagnetic field and its activity.

There's no reason at all to believe that the Kirlian aura has any link to anything metephysic or paranatural, and most newagers who spout stuff about your aura and try and use the Kirlian effect as a validation for their drivel tend to be woo merchants, or not to know whereof they are talking in the first place.