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SPIRIT PHOTO - BUGUET
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SPIRIT PHOTO - BUGUET
French photographer Edouard Buguet depicted in the act of faking a spirit photograph Date: circa 1870
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Media ID 20143185
© Bubblepunk
Depicted Edouard Faking Mediumship Photographer Spirit Paranormal
EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing photograph, titled "Spirit Photo - Buguet," offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of 19th-century paranormal phenomena and the role of photography in documenting the unknown. The image depicts French photographer Edouard Buguet (1835-1899) in the act of staging a spirit photograph. Circa 1870, this photograph challenges the notion of authenticity in mediumship and spirit photography. During the late 1800s, spirit photography gained immense popularity, fueled by the public's fascination with the supernatural and the belief in an afterlife. Mediums, who claimed to be in contact with the spirit world, often collaborated with photographers to capture images of ectoplasm, apparitions, or spirit hands. Buguet, like many other photographers of the time, capitalized on this trend and used various techniques to manipulate photographs to create the illusion of paranormal phenomena. In this photograph, Buguet is shown holding a glass plate negative, which is suspended in mid-air, seemingly levitating. A white, glowing hand appears to be reaching out from the darkness, seemingly interacting with the plate. The mysterious atmosphere is further enhanced by the dimly lit room and the ominous shadows cast on the walls. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this image is a cleverly staged hoax. The hand is most likely that of an assistant, hidden from view, manipulating the plate from behind. The levitation effect was achieved by suspending the plate on a thread or wire, giving the illusion of weightlessness. Despite the revelation of Buguet's deception, this photograph remains an intriguing artifact of the era, shedding light on the complex relationship between belief, skepticism, and the power of the human imagination.
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