Paranormal phenomenon is notoriously hard to capture on camera, but among the rising number of hoaxes there are a handful of ghost photographs that can send shivers down your spine and involuntary make you ponder the things that go bump in the night.
Experts and skeptics alike have spent their careers testing thousands of images of the paranormal, debunking some and failing to disprove others, here however, are 10 most famous ghost pictures that have stood the test of time.
The Spectre of Newby Church (1963)
Taken in 1963 at the Newby Church in Yorkshire, England, this famous picture depicts a nine-foot-tall figure wearing a cowl and standing at an altar. Several photography experts have scrutinized the image and have declared it is not the result of a double exposure or other photographic tricks.
Lord Combermere Ghost (1891)
Taken by Sybell Corbet in 1891,the figure of Lord Combermere can be faintly be seen sitting in the chair on the left in the library in Combermere Abbey, England. His head, collar and right arm on the armrest can be clearly made out.
The second Viscount Lord Combermere died after being struck by one of London’s first electrically powered motor cabs. It said that while Sybell Corbet was taking the above photograph, Lord Combermere’s funeral was taking place four miles away.
Corroboree Rock Spirit (1959)
Taken by Reverend R.S. Blance at Corroboree Rock, at Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia in 1959, this famous photograph appears to show a woman holding her hands toward her face, peering out into the distance.
Freddy Jackson (1919)
Freddy Jackson was a mechanic for the Royal Air Force had been killed in a freak-accident by an aeroplane propeller, but Jackson did not let his death get in the way of him showing up on time for the group photo two days later. Several of the other men in the photo confirmed that it was in fact Jackson’s face in the background of the picture.
Baby At The Gravestone (1946)
Taken by Mrs. Andrews who was visiting the grave of her teenage daughter in Queensland, Australia. At the time Andrews claimed she saw nothing unusual, however after getting the photos developed she was astonished to see the image of an unknown infant sitting at a gravestone and looking at the camera.
The Backseat Driver (1959)
This famous ghost photograph was taken in 1959 by Mable Chinnery. After visiting the grave of her mother, Mable turned and took a picture of her husband, who was waiting for her in the car. What Mable didn’t expect was her mother coming along for the ride in the backseat.
The Amityville Horror Ghost (1976)
Just twenty days after moving in, the Lutz family fled in terror from their Amityville home. This photograph was taken by professional photographer Gene Campbell in 1976 during an paranormal investigation. Instructed to take pictures of the house, it wasn’t until he looked over rolls and rolls of film in 1979 that he discovered one—and only one—photo depicting a small ghostlike boy.
Widely believed to be the spirit of John Mathew DeFeo who was only nine years old when he was murdered by his older brother just a few short years before the Lutz family moved into the house and the Amityville horror began.
Phantom on The Farm (2008)
Photographer Neil Sandbach was taking pictures around a farm in Hertfordshire, England. After reviewing the digital photos he couldn’t believe his eyes; he was certain there was not a child hanging around the farm that day. He later asked the farm owners if they’d ever had any supernatural experiences there, and the owners confirmed that they had witnessed the specter of a boy in white night clothes many times before.
Tulip Staircase Ghost (1966)
Taken in 1966 by Rev. Ralph Hardy in the Queen’s House section of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England. Hardy, a retired clergyman, intended only to take a picture of the impressive Tulip Staircase but also captured this apparition of a robed figure ascending the stairs.
The original negative was examined by experts, including some from Kodak, who deemed that the photo had not been tampered with. People have reported seeing unexplained figures and the sound of footsteps in the same vicinity for years prior to and after this picture was taken.
The Brown Lady (1936)
Arguably the most famous ghost picture on our list, The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England rose to international fame after the apparition was captured on the staircase during a photoshoot for Country Life magazine. The Brown Lady is so named because of the brown brocade dress it is claimed she wears.
Creepy Ghost Photos That Defy Explanation
Have you ever wondered what hides in the darkness? Felt a strange chill run down your spine? Jumped at unexplainable bumps and knocks in the night? Perhaps you have good reason to be afraid. Turn the lights down low and get ready to believe as we present 10 of the best ghost photos ever taken that defy all explanation.
The Shadowman Watches
It was only after reviewing the photographs she had taken in her parents house, that Christy realised she had not been alone that day. Captured in one of the photographs, appears to show a dark ominous presence lingering in the doorway, silently watching her.
The Wisconsin Trail Cam Mystery
Submitted to Reddit in 2012, the Wisconsin trail cam mystery has been busy baffling the internet ever since. What is the lurching, hunched creature caught on camera? Theories range from wendigos to bird poop or someone playing a joke with a sheet over their head. Perhaps we’ll never know.
Fireside Companion
A woman took this photograph of her mother sitting by the campfire during a late-spring get together with friends and family. At the time this photo was taken the daughter claims her mother was alone by the fire. If that is true who, or what is the young girl sitting beside her?
The Nursing Home Devil
This picture was taken of a nurse’s viewing monitor. On the monitor a black figure appeared standing on top of the patient who was lying in the bed. The patient died within a few hours of this figure appearing.
The Spectre of Blackhead Lighthouse
Taken in 2009 outside the lighthouse keepers cottage at Blackhead lighthouse, County Antrim, UK. Laura snapped a photo of her friend smoking in the dark, believing they were the only people outside the building. That is, until they reviewed their pictures and noticed the dark robed figure standing right in front of them.
The Crawling Skeleton
A father took this photograph of his young daughter playing in their living room and was surprised to see this ghostly, crawling form of light energy in front of her. It also looks like the child can see it too.
The Reaper
This photo was taken by a resident of a nursing home. Prior to the photograph being taken, members of the staff and other residents repeatedly heard the sounds of a door opening and closing along with the appearance of a call light turning on and off, only to find nobody was in the room. This picture had been taken roughly 15 minutes after a patient in the facility had passed on, is it possible this is the person? Or perhaps ‘The Reaper’? The latter being the most popular theory among the staff.
Alone in The Church
Diane and Peter Berthelot visited Worstead Church in Norfolk in 1975. Peter snapped a photo of his wife praying silently in the pew. Peter took a photo of his wife sitting and praying on one of the church benches, and when they reviewed the developed photos some months later, a friend of Mrs. Berthelot asked, “Who’s that sitting behind you, Di?”
The Phantom Pilot
Taken in 1987 at the Fleet Air Arm Centre in Yelverton, Somerset. The woman in the picture, while posing recalled she felt strangely cold even though it was a hot day. She also claims she was the only one in the aircraft.
The Old Lady of the Guesthouse
The haunting began shortly before the demolition crew began tearing down the empty Victorian guesthouse in Kendal, Cumbria, UK. The photograph was taken by the site supervisor just before the building was razed to the ground. It his wife that spotted what appears to be an elderly woman wearing large earrings staring out of one of the ground-floor windows.
The apparition is believed to be the B&B’s late owner Frances Grimshaw, 87, who died a year before the building was scheduled to be demolished. Frances son David said: “That is my mother. I’m totally convinced – no one else looks like that. She had glasses and big earrings and she used to wear a dress with a bow at the front.”
“Mum used to stand in that room for hours on the phone – it was the guest house reception and she took bookings from there.”
Creepy Ghost Photos That Defy Explanation
Have you ever wondered what hides in the darkness? Felt a strange chill run down your spine? Jumped at unexplainable bumps and knocks in the night? Perhaps you have good reason to be afraid. Turn the lights down low and get ready to believe as we present 10 of the best ghost photos ever taken that defy all explanation.
The Shadowman Watches
It was only after reviewing the photographs she had taken in her parents house, that Christy realised she had not been alone that day. Captured in one of the photographs, appears to show a dark ominous presence lingering in the doorway, silently watching her.
The Wisconsin Trail Cam Mystery
Submitted to Reddit in 2012, the Wisconsin trail cam mystery has been busy baffling the internet ever since. What is the lurching, hunched creature caught on camera? Theories range from wendigos to bird poop or someone playing a joke with a sheet over their head. Perhaps we’ll never know.
Fireside Companion
A woman took this photograph of her mother sitting by the campfire during a late-spring get together with friends and family. At the time this photo was taken the daughter claims her mother was alone by the fire. If that is true who, or what is the young girl sitting beside her?
The Nursing Home Devil
This picture was taken of a nurse’s viewing monitor. On the monitor a black figure appeared standing on top of the patient who was lying in the bed. The patient died within a few hours of this figure appearing.
The Spectre of Blackhead Lighthouse
Taken in 2009 outside the lighthouse keepers cottage at Blackhead lighthouse, County Antrim, UK. Laura snapped a photo of her friend smoking in the dark, believing they were the only people outside the building. That is, until they reviewed their pictures and noticed the dark robed figure standing right in front of them.
The Crawling Skeleton
A father took this photograph of his young daughter playing in their living room and was surprised to see this ghostly, crawling form of light energy in front of her. It also looks like the child can see it too.
The Reaper
This photo was taken by a resident of a nursing home. Prior to the photograph being taken, members of the staff and other residents repeatedly heard the sounds of a door opening and closing along with the appearance of a call light turning on and off, only to find nobody was in the room. This picture had been taken roughly 15 minutes after a patient in the facility had passed on, is it possible this is the person? Or perhaps ‘The Reaper’? The latter being the most popular theory among the staff.
Alone in The Church
Diane and Peter Berthelot visited Worstead Church in Norfolk in 1975. Peter snapped a photo of his wife praying silently in the pew. Peter took a photo of his wife sitting and praying on one of the church benches, and when they reviewed the developed photos some months later, a friend of Mrs. Berthelot asked, “Who’s that sitting behind you, Di?”
The Phantom Pilot
Taken in 1987 at the Fleet Air Arm Centre in Yelverton, Somerset. The woman in the picture, while posing recalled she felt strangely cold even though it was a hot day. She also claims she was the only one in the aircraft.
The Old Lady of the Guesthouse
The haunting began shortly before the demolition crew began tearing down the empty Victorian guesthouse in Kendal, Cumbria, UK. The photograph was taken by the site supervisor just before the building was razed to the ground. It his wife that spotted what appears to be an elderly woman wearing large earrings staring out of one of the ground-floor windows.
The apparition is believed to be the B&B’s late owner Frances Grimshaw, 87, who died a year before the building was scheduled to be demolished. Frances son David said: “That is my mother. I’m totally convinced – no one else looks like that. She had glasses and big earrings and she used to wear a dress with a bow at the front.”
“Mum used to stand in that room for hours on the phone – it was the guest house reception and she took bookings from there.”
