Michael Jackson's Ghost, Explained, - Shadow... This was a live event, and people were all over the ranch due to the death of this star. Video: CNN - Edited to show it is a shadow and why it "appears" to be vertical ... Video was uploaded to show why the shadow is vertical and not at an angle. If the shadow on the wall or object to YOUR point of view is vertical, then it would be on the reflected surface under it .. Pay attention to the shadow of the railing from the camera point of view and the reflection. If the angle is 30 degrees, than the angle in the reflection will also be 30 degrees but opposite. That is how it works.