The photographer behind the first “ghost” photos was arrested for his work in 1869. But these 8 spooky photos may still keep you up at night
William H. Mumler is recognized by many as the first spirit photographer. His historic photographs still look haunting
In 1869, a Boston jeweler named William H. Mumler was arrested for his innovative spirit photography work. Spirit photography, a technique that captured ethereal figures in photographs, was a controversial subject at the time. Mumler's fascination with spirit photography began when he discovered a faint, spirit-like figure in a self-portrait during a studio session with another photographer, Helen F. Stuart.
The figure appeared to resemble a cousin of Mumler who had died 12 years earlier. As the Civil War raged on and families mourned loved ones, Mumler's spirit photography gained popularity, with families seeking photographs of their deceased members. At the height of his career, Mumler charged $10 for a dozen photographs, a significant sum in the mid-19th century.
Despite some skepticism from onlookers, Mumler continued to take spirit photographs, employing techniques such as double exposure, long exposures, and reusing partially cleaned glass plates to create the eerie, otherworldly images.
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