The art of spirit photography took off in the 1860s and has as a main focus photographing ghosts, or spiritual entities. It was basically used to hunt ghosts.This crazy hobby started when William H. Mumler, who worked as a jeweler in Boston and was an amateur photographer on the side. Apparently, Mumler took a photograph of himself and, upon being developed, it showed a ghost-like image of his deceased cousin. Taking full advantage of his newly acquired skills, he left his day job and became a full-time spirit photographer.

read more: William H. Mumler and the Art of Spirit Photography | Unusual