Woman with two boys and a female spirit

Collection of National Media Museum

We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions of the original physical version of apply though; if you're unsure please visit the National Media Museum website.

For obtaining reproductions of selected images please go to the Science and Society Picture Library.

Comments and faves

  1. Noël Zia Lee (46 months ago | reply)

    The sitter on the right looks more like an adult woman

  2. Raquel Pellicano (46 months ago | reply)

    This is amazing, loved the collection! This actually happened on my family, an aunt who died appeared floating in a photography. Something like 20 years ago. I wonder if nowadays it is still possible, with digital photography. Even if it is, its so easy to fake, we don't have the same magic.. sad.

  3. drugsarebadmkaybob (45 months ago | reply)

    what a beautiful photo! it looks as though the shown spirit is veiling the boys to carress them, or pull them into her.

  4. vvitch (44 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Vintage Spirit Photography, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  5. aleksandra waliszewska (44 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called nice&easy, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  6. dianaheijman (43 months ago | reply)

    magnificent

  7. pino piedimonte (43 months ago | reply)

    Ciao, sono amministratore di un gruppo chiamato www.flickr.com/groups/808443@N22/. Ci farebbe piacere aggiungere l’elemento al gruppo.

  8. Quack the Wooley Duck (42 months ago | reply)

    I'm guessing this was done with double exposure. The spirit's face appears to possibly be a drawing?

  9. jyotsnapathania [deleted] (41 months ago | reply)

    Its a shakespearean

  10. El jardin de Jacinta (41 months ago | reply)

    buen trabajo es estupenda un saludo

  11. Barbie Sin Cabeza (41 months ago | reply)

    Hermosa foto, dios!.

  12. dannotti (39 months ago | reply)

    Great photo.

  13. VinVisible (39 months ago | reply)

    Cool photo - however, the spirit appears to be an illustration or
    more contrived than the faces of the people in the photo...?

    Early 'spirit photos' were often created or 'hoaxed' in order to convince customers wanting to contact the dead.
    There are many books on 'false mediums' and it's well known Houdini debunked many of these so-called mediums.
    ;)

  14. -Boss Hogg- (39 months ago | reply)

    whew! Vincent hit the nail on the head.

  15. wiggiewormdog (39 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called soulful group, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  16. " Amr " (39 months ago | reply)

    so great !!

  17. lythrum_salicaria (39 months ago | reply)

    Ansell Wannabe: All are fake. But the it`s the shot what is important here ;)

  18. Malak Alrashed (38 months ago | reply)

    I had alwaysloved those kind of photo .

  19. shawnabowbawna (37 months ago | reply)

    They have an exhibit on this these types of photos at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

  20. Grandini (37 months ago | reply)

    impressionantes!!!!

  21. Enric Martinez (37 months ago | reply)

    Uuuh, scary... really impressing how inventive people was before Photoshop, and candid ^_^

  22. |°i Nevermind°| (37 months ago | reply)

    WOOW!!!.
    The pic is impressive!

    God work :B

  23. cabocheri (36 months ago | reply)

    Nice image. Soft and spiritual and yet mysterious all in one. Great shot!

  24. SCMichelle (36 months ago | reply)

    In 1862 spirit photography was really big. The nations' first foray into the paranormal. Just think Ghost Hunters of the 18 century. One big name was William Mumler... He charged $ 10.00 dollars for a portrait and guaranteed that the spirit of your deceased relatives would appear in the photo. Unfortunately, a couple years later...he was exposed (excuse the pun) as a fraud. Many of the "spirits" found in the photos were still living. Still, it started a trend!

  25. mensaka (36 months ago | reply)

    A irresistible Forceful..

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Groove Art, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  26. Ojuaraamaanimais (36 months ago | reply)

    Macabro...conta outra.Pois os mortos não voltam mais...!

  27. =CeLine= (36 months ago | reply)

    it really scares me..wow......

  28. A..·* [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)

    wow

  29. queer-on (35 months ago | reply)

    I love it :D

  30. My think in the sky ♥ [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)

    WoW! increible :)

  31. vince-branca (35 months ago | reply)

    A picture does not say all; read Can the DEAD speak with the LIVING? , you might have a second thought !

  32. JustinMark2398Lim (35 months ago | reply)

    The National Media, your ghost pictures make my balahibo tayu-tayo. It makes me scared of nights.

  33. Ben Heine (34 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called - Flickr United (Post 5 - Award 3 - Invite friends), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    Congratulations!!! You have been awarded a “Flickr United” Medal!
    If you haven't done so, please add your photo to:
    Flickr United
    Please tag your photo: FlickrUnitedAward

    Awesome!

  34. EmperorNorton47 (34 months ago | reply)

    The hurt mediums caused and continue to cause for people who just need to get over a death using tricks like this. Shameful.

  35. 洛可可·黎迪雅 [deleted] (33 months ago | reply)

    love this!

  36. mokastet (33 months ago | reply)

    spoooky :)

  37. PJFB - Photography (33 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Ouvrier de l'image worker image Arbeiter Bilder, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  38. __Pulse [deleted] (33 months ago | reply)

    The spirit's face does look doll-like. Interesting picture, though!

  39. Gabriela Araujo Z. (33 months ago | reply)

    like a ghost ??? nice shoot

  40. kristiyana1 (32 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called kristiyana_group of animes., and we'd love to have this added to the group!

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