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'Ghosts' caught on camera: famous images and how they're explained
The stories behind famous 'ghost photos' and videos, from Victorian spirit photography and the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall to the Hampton Court CCTV figure, plus the common camera effects that create ghostly images.
Ever since photography was invented, people have claimed to capture ghosts on film. Some famous images were deliberate fakes; others have more ordinary explanations. Here are some of the best-known cases, and what's usually going on.
Victorian spirit photography
In the 1860s, William Mumler, a Boston engraver, began selling portraits showing faint "spirit" figures behind his sitters. They were hugely popular with grieving families after the American Civil War. Among his sitters was Mary Todd Lincoln, whose portrait appears to show Abraham Lincoln behind her. In 1869, Mumler was tried for fraud in New York. He was acquitted, but critics, including the showman P. T. Barnum, showed how the effect could be produced with double exposures. Some of his "spirits" were recognised as living people.
Spirit photography remained popular into the 20th century, often linked to spiritualism.
The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall (1936)
Photographers working for Country Life magazine said they saw a shadowy figure descending the staircase at Raynham Hall in Norfolk and took a photograph. The image, showing a veiled, translucent figure, became one of the most famous ghost photos ever. Sceptics have suggested a double exposure, grease on the lens or deliberate manipulation. No definitive explanation has been agreed.
The Hampton Court CCTV figure (2003)
Security cameras at Hampton Court Palace recorded fire doors flying open, and a figure in a long robe appearing in the doorway and closing them. The footage made international news. Palace staff said they couldn't identify the figure. Sceptics suggest it was a visitor or staff member in costume, or a prank.
Why cameras "see" ghosts?
- Orbs: glowing circles in flash photos are usually dust, pollen, moisture or insects close to the lens, lit by the flash. They're especially common with small cameras and phones, where the flash is close to the lens.
- Long exposures: in low light, cameras keep the shutter open longer. Anyone moving through the frame appears as a translucent blur.
- Double exposure: deliberate or accidental, it overlays one image on another.
- Lens flare and reflections: bright lights can create streaks, shapes and "mists".
- Phone processing: modern phones combine multiple frames and apply AI enhancement, which can create odd artefacts, especially in panoramas and night mode.
- Pareidolia: our brains are wired to see faces in random patterns, from wallpaper to shadows.
Video and the internet age
Viral "ghost" videos are now easy to fake with editing apps and AI tools. Many popular clips were later shown to be marketing stunts or staged. A useful rule: the more shareable and dramatic a clip, the more scepticism it deserves.
Testing your own "ghost" photo
- Take several more photos from the same spot, with and without flash.
- Check whether the shape moves with the camera, which suggests it's on the lens.
- Look at the full-resolution original, not a compressed copy.
- Consider who or what could have moved through the frame during the exposure.
Why the images still fascinate?
Ghost photos tap into grief, curiosity and the hope of proof. Understanding how they're made doesn't spoil the history: the story of spirit photography says a lot about how people dealt with loss, and how new technology can be used to deceive.
If you enjoy the subject, archives and museums hold collections of Victorian spirit photographs, and examining them closely is a great way to learn how early photographers created illusions.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Spirit photography
- Wikipedia: Brown Lady of Raynham Hall
- Wikipedia: William H. Mumler
- Wikipedia: Orb (optics)
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
What should you know about Victorian spirit photography?
In the 1860s, William Mumler, a Boston engraver, began selling portraits showing faint "spirit" figures behind his sitters. They were hugely popular with grieving families after the American Civil War.
What should you know about the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall (1936)?
Photographers working for Country Life magazine said they saw a shadowy figure descending the staircase at Raynham Hall in Norfolk and took a photograph. The image, showing a veiled, translucent figure, became one of the most famous ghost photos ever.
What should you know about the Hampton Court CCTV figure (2003)?
Security cameras at Hampton Court Palace recorded fire doors flying open, and a figure in a long robe appearing in the doorway and closing them. The footage made international news.
What should you know about Video and the internet age?
Viral "ghost" videos are now easy to fake with editing apps and AI tools. Many popular clips were later shown to be marketing stunts or staged.
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Chris is a freelance writer and editor covering a wide range of topics with a focus on accuracy and depth.
Last updated: 2026-04-25 · Fact-checked by editorial team