I can't think of a better way to start off my Halloween Season than having a showcase of Victorian Spirit photography. I love these things. Generally, I think most of these photographs are pretty hilarious but there are a few are downright creepy...

I suppose the awful truth about these photographs is the fact there was so much death surrounding the lives of the Victorians. In some way, maybe these photographers helped the subjects cope with the loss of their loved ones. With the invention of this new technology and a little bit of trickery, the photographers were able to create things never seen before. Perhaps these photographers could now capture something that only existed in one's own mind. Maybe that is why I am so attracted to them.

Get ready for some spookiness...

Man Reading with Female Spirit Behind by Phillip Bros...via photographymuseum

Spirit photo by William Hope via moolf

"Woman with Two Boys"...and a ghost by Willian Hope via GuardianUK

Spirit and Medium by Frederick Hudson

A Medium and the Emission by Albert Von Schrenck-Notzing


"The Ghost of Bernadette Soubirous", by Anonymous via...dieselpunks

"11", by Reeves, 1872

Seance by John Beattie via Dark in the dark

Mrs. French of Boston with her Spirit Son, by William Mumler circa 1868 via Photography Museum

Eugene Thiebault, "Publicity Photograph: Henri Robin and a Specter" 1863

If you are interested, here is a wonderful post I found from the blog, "The Haunted Museum". It will give you a really good history of Victorian Spirit Photography and some more wonderful photographs, as well. Enjoy!

Have spooky evening, Everyone...

Did you ever just connect with a time period?

I swear I was born 100 years too late. I love the Victorian era and adore early photography. One of my favorite photographers is Charles Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll. Of course, I love "Alice Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" but most of all, I love the photo's he took.
There is so much sadness in all of them. In our culture, we get so used to seeing children with happy faces all the time it seems so strange to see them with such infinite sadness in their faces. There is something very real about these kids and so beautiful. They haunt me.