Ghost Photographs

A selection of the most famous ghost photographs in the world!

Tulip Staircase Ghost
My absolute favourite ghost photograph ever. It’s so atmospheric and spooky – it doesn’t get any better than this! Rev. Ralph Hardy, a clergyman from British Columbia, snapped this image in 1966. He was photographing the spiral “Tulip Staircase” in the Queen’s House section of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England. The photograph shows a shrouded figure climbing the stairs, grasping the railing with both hands. Experts have failed to find any evidence of tampering or fraud. Wonderful!

Castello de la Rotta Knight
These three rare images were taken at the Castello de la Rotta near Turin in Italy. Although quite blurry, I find them very intriguing! The first picture is thought to be that of Arturo, a hooded knight who gallops around the castle holding his head in one hand. This was captured on film after a skeleton person and horse were discovered. The other two were captured on film walking towards the chapel and materialising out of a wall. This amazing castle is connected with the Knight's Templar and is said to have been built at the meeting point of two powerful leylines in order to facilitate paranormal and mystical activity. Very compelling.

Church Ghost
This is such a curious ghost photograph, taken some time ago in a church in London. The shoes of the ghost that is captured on film are so out of time - at a guess I would say 18th century. Really great, unusual ghost picture. ~Update~ We received an email from John who says this is a Time Elapse shot, not a ghost photograph and really easy to set up. We'll leave the decision as to whether it's real or not up to our visitors!

Ghost of Yuri
Wonderful shot taken high above the stage in the St. James's Theatre, Wellington, New Zealand by Carolyn Taylor of what is believed to be the ghost of Yuri, a Russian dancer. He fell to his death from high up over the stage - around this area - and questions remain as to whether it was an accident or murder. Yuri has been seen and felt many times and obviously is loath to leave the stage. More about the St. James's Theatre here.

Prince Albert Ghost
This is quite an outrageous ghost picture - so clear, is it for real? I believe so. This photograph was taken by Grant Wilson of Leeds, England who was snapping pictures of valuables in his living room for insurance purposes. The television was unplugged! The face, which is strangely like that of Prince Albert, is on the negative also, which rules out tampering at the photo lab and the image is very similar to daguerrotype photographs taken in the 19th century. Very spooky! Check out more about this weird photo here. Many thanks to Grant for his kind permission to use the image.






Riccarton House Ghost
I love this photo taken by Carolyn Taylor of the Ghost Hunt group in New Zealand. While filming at Riccarton House in Christchurch, Carolyn snapped a few pictures of the exterior of the house, not seeing anything unusual. Only when the photos were examined was this menacing apparition spotted on the porch. Very scary!

The Madonna of Bachelor's Grove
This fantastic photograph was taken during an investigation of Bachelor's Grove cemetery near Chicago by the excellent Ghost Research Society. On August 10, 1991, several members of of the GRS were at the cemetery, a small, abandoned graveyard on the edge of the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve, near the suburb of Midlothian, Illinois and this photograph came out with an image of a ghostly, out-of-her-time, lady. There was no one else there. Excellent ghost image. More about haunted cemeteries here.

The Ghost in the Burning Building
In November 1995, Wem Town Hall (dating from the turn of the century) in Shropshire, England burned to the ground. Tony O'Rahilly, a local resident, was one of many onlookers as the building collapsed and took photos of the event with a telephoto lens from across the street. One of his photos shows what looks like a small, ethereal girl standing in a doorway. In 1677, historical records notethat a fire destroyed many of the town's old timber houses. Legend goes that a young girl named Jane Churm accidentally set fire to a thatched roof with a candle. This is a super, clear image of what is probably a ghost.

The Brown Lady
This image of the "The Brown Lady" ghost is one of the best known ghost photographs ever shot. The apparition is thought to be that of Lady Dorothy Townshend, wife of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount of Raynham, of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England in the early 1700s. The photograph was taken in September, 1936 by Captain Provand and Indre Shira, two photographers who were taking pictures of Raynham Hall for Country Life magazine. This is your quintessential ghost photo!

Ghost Kitten
As a total animal lover, I just love this photograph. Check out the transparent kitten to the right of the man's arm. The people who took the picture say she looks like the sister of the kitten in the man's lap. This little cat was killed one month before the photo was taken. Double exposure is ruled out as these are the first pictures taken of the kittens. I love how the kitten in his lap even seems to be looking up at her sister. It's nice to know that our departed animal friends come back for a visit...

The Back Seat Ghost
This photograph definitely gives me the shivers. After visiting the grave of her mother one day in 1959, Mabel Chinnery took this photograph. She had also taken some photos of the gravesite. On her way to the car, Mabel took an impromptu photo of her husband, who was waiting on his own in the car. When the photos were developed, they were amazed to see the image of her late mother sitting in the back of the car. Experts have testified that this photo is absolutely genuine.






Ghost Buddy
I found this ghost photo on the web, with very little information. This happy gathering probably dates from World War II, over 60 years ago, long before Photoshop etc...! A group of drinking buddies, with a transparent soldier at the rear, in the middle. I feel this is authentic, given the age of the photograph and the way the ghostly man fits into the group perfectly, as if he doesn't want to miss the fun! Love it!


Do you have a ghost picture of your own to share? Submit your photo here and share it with all our visitors!

Ready for more spooky stuff? Why not check out our friends at www.ghostsandstories.com? I particularly recommend Videos 17 and 43. Prepare to be scared....