Ghosts,the paranormaland the supernatural have always been debated. Do they exist?
Many people have reported sightings before, but without any real proof, they’re usually disregarded as mere stories. Being able to take photos of spirits obviously helps the cause, but are all of them real or have some been doctored?
Here is a round-up of the most famous “ghost” photos of all-time. Some have been faked no doubt, but they look so good on first inspection they could definitely convert some non-believers.
Catherine Howard - 1800s
This image purports to show Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII who was executed for adultery in 1542. She is said to haunt the Horn Room at Hampton Court Palace.
Naturally, these sorts of images are usually spoofed through double-exposure.
An unexpected guest - 1950s
Two boys sit happily on their mother’s laps but a pretty terrifying and unexpected guest has also dropped in. Hanging disturbingly from the rafters.
The Ghost Pilot - 1987
In 1987, Mrs Sayer was visiting air airfield in England with her friend. She thought it would fun to take a photo of her sitting in the cockpit.
When the image was developed, there was a man sitting in the pilot’s seat who hadn’t been there when the photo was taken. A long lost pilot? No one is sure.
Boot Hill Ghost - 1996
Only Ike Canton’s friend was seen when this photo was taken, The mysterious man wearing a hat behind him wasn’t. Canton later looked more closely at the photo and decided the figure was in fact holding a knife, with the point ending just above his collar.
Goddard’s Squadron - Freddy Jackson - 1919
This image was taken by Sir Victor Goddard, of his squadron in 1919.
The ghostly image behind the fourth sailor from the left, at the top, is believed to be of Freddy Jackson. Jackson died a few days before the photo was taken by walking into a moving propeller.
Amityville Ghost - 1976
This photo, taken by Ed and Lorraine Warren, claims to show the ghost of 9-year-old John DeFeo.
DeFeo, along with his other brother, two sisters and parents, was killed by his older brother Ronald at their house in Amityville. Ed and Lorraine Warren were paranormal experts who entered the house and captured this image using a camera that consistently took infrared photos during the night.
The DeFeo murders were the inspiration for TheAmityville Horror books and films.
Coventry Spectre - 1985
At first glance, you’d think there’s nothing wrong with this photo. But look again, and you’ll see a tall, dark figure wearing what could be a monk’s frock, with a hood, in the top left.
This is a photo of the Coventry Freeman society showing everyone at the event, including the mysterious figure, bowing their heads. Nobody at the event was seen wearing that style of clothing.
Grandpa’s Ghost - August 1997
Somehow this lady’s husband managed to appear in this photo despite passing away seven years before.
Denise Russell took this photo of her grandma, who lived alone at the time, on 14 August 2025.
Even though the photo had been developed, copied and given to other family members, nobody noticed the male figure standing over her until Christmas Day 2000. The Russell family say it’s a spitting image of their grandpa who died in 1984.
Pawling Fire Department - 1988
The white figure in this photo is believed to be some sort of angel, overlooking Rose Benvenuto, who was involved in the car crash.
She said it could only have taken a miracle for her to survive the crash, and lo and behold, there’s an angel-like figure in attending firefighter Sharon Boo’s photo.
The Back Seat Ghost - March 1959
This photo was taken by Mabel Chinnery in 1959. It shows her husband in his car, but who is allegedly her dead mother-in-law on the back seat.
While paranormalists believe it to be real, others have debunked it as being a case of double exposure.
