Ghost photographs baffle scientists
Scientists have been stumped by a series of ghost photographs after appealing for members of the public to send in their most spooky images.
Psychologist Richard Wiseman and his team received 250 images which showed mysterious-looking orbs, mists, figures and faces.
While they say many can be explained by camera flash reflecting off dust, condensed breath in front of the lens or people selecting the wrong exposure length, others have left them scratching their heads.
A public vote of over 250,000 people - part of Edinburgh International Science Festival - picked the five most spooky ghost photographs which are shown below.
Psychologist Richard Wiseman and his team received 250 images which showed mysterious-looking orbs, mists, figures and faces.
While they say many can be explained by camera flash reflecting off dust, condensed breath in front of the lens or people selecting the wrong exposure length, others have left them scratching their heads.
A public vote of over 250,000 people - part of Edinburgh International Science Festival - picked the five most spooky ghost photographs which are shown below.
Fourth place: The ghost on the beach (27%). The photograph appears to show a mysterious dark figure standing in the water, facing to the right, and wearing a coat with the hood up. Skeptics argue that this ‘figure’ is actually an illusion created by an indentation in the rock face.
Third place: The ghost on the street (28%). The photographer says that nobody walked in front of the camera when the picture was taken, and thus he cannot account for the ‘ghostly’ figure. Skeptics argue that the blurring in the image suggests a long exposure, and that a person may have walked down the ramp unnoticed and created the movement ‘trails’.
Second place: The ghost in the woods (31%). Taken whilst the photographer was out walking with his children and dog, this image appears to contain a strange figure in the trees. Skeptics argue that the apparent figure is simply a mixture of shadows, leaves and branches.
First place: The ghost in the castle (39%): The photograph was taken in May 2008 at Tantallon Castle (Scotland). The photographer was unaware of anyone in the opening, and says there were no manikins or staff in period costume at the venue. Skeptics argue that the figure might be an unnoticed visitor, an odd reflection of light against the wall, or digital manipulation.
LINKS
Edinburgh International Science Festival
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