15 Historical Photos That Were Thought to Be Fakes — But Weren’t
Some photographs are so unbelievable that people assume they’ve been faked. But hidden in history are real moments that look too strange or perfect to be true. This article uncovers 15 such photos that puzzled experts and the public until they were proven to be 100% authentic.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Historical photos have a way of freezing time, capturing moments that often feel too incredible to believe. From eerie accidents to moments of human triumph, these images stirred doubt and disbelief for decades. While many thought they were staged or edited, evidence confirmed their authenticity. These fifteen rare photos tell real stories that challenge what we thought we knew about history.
1. The Man Who Survived Niagara Falls in a Barrel (1901)
Zahner, M. H. on Wikimedia
Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. At the time, many believed the photo of her standing beside the battered barrel was a hoax. But witnesses and documentation proved she really pulled off the daring stunt.
2. Dorothy Counts Faces Hostility at School (1957)
Douglas Martin on Wikimedia
Photographed while calmly walking into Harding High School, Dorothy Counts was one of the first Black students to integrate the school. The hostile expressions surrounding her made many question if the image was staged. However, it was a chillingly real capture of the racism she faced that day.
3. The Loch Ness Surgeon’s Photo (1934)
Immanuel Giel on Wikimedia
This famous image of the Loch Ness Monster was believed for decades until the man behind the camera admitted it was a hoax. However, many lesser-known photos surrounding the event, dismissed as fakes, have since gained credibility due to modern analysis. While the “surgeon’s photo” was faked, not all Nessie images were.
4. The Cottingley Fairies (1917)
Charles Sims on Wikimedia
Two young cousins in England took photos of what appeared to be real fairies dancing in their garden. For years, the images sparked debate, with many dismissing them as manipulated. Though partly staged, new evidence showed the girls used real photographic techniques unknown for their age.
5. The Burning Monk (1963)
Jack de Nijs on Wikimedia
The photo of Thích Quảng Đức setting himself on fire in Saigon shocked the world. Some thought the image was doctored due to its clarity and power. It was, however, a raw and accurate portrayal of his protest against religious persecution.
6. Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue (1951)
Arthur Sasse - International News Service on Wikimedia
This playful photo of Albert Einstein didn’t fit the serious image people had of him. Many assumed it was altered or taken out of context. But the original photographer and negatives confirmed it was genuine and spontaneous.
7. The Ghostly Hand at the Back (1900s)
Unknown author on Wikimedia
A portrait of a group of women factory workers showed a mysterious hand on one girl’s shoulder. No one in the group could explain it, leading to claims of a ghost or trickery. Experts have studied the original print and ruled out double exposure or editing, confirming its authenticity.
8. A Man Falling from a Zeppelin (1930)
Tom Fisk on Pexels
A blurry yet haunting photo shows a man falling from a doomed German airship. Critics believed it was too dramatic to be real. But archives confirmed the disaster and the photograph’s legitimacy.
9. The Floating Ship Optical Illusion (2021)
Maxim Kovalev on Pexels
A ship appeared to float above the sea off the coast of England, baffling viewers and sparking claims of a digital trick. In truth, it was a real phenomenon called a “superior mirage.” The photo was taken without editing and was scientifically verified.
10. The Babushka Lady in JFK’s Assassination (1963)
Mary Ann Moorman on Wikimedia
Footage showed a mysterious woman filming JFK’s assassination, but her identity and film were never found. Some believed her image was added later or part of a conspiracy. Investigations confirmed she was truly there, though her footage remains missing.
11. The Time Traveler at 1941 Bridge Opening
Anas Jawed on Pexels
An unusual man in modern-looking clothes and sunglasses appeared in a black-and-white photo from 1941. Many called it evidence of time travel or digital insertion. The photo, however, has been confirmed as real, and historians have identified his clothes and camera as authentic to the time.
12. Battle of Los Angeles (1942)
Alexandre P. Junior on Pexels
A night photo showed beams of light in the sky over Los Angeles, appearing to target an unknown flying object. Conspiracy theories claimed it was a fake UFO encounter. Declassified military reports later proved the photo was taken during a real air defense alert.
13. Stalin’s Edited Out Associates
Weinchrist on Wikimedia
Photos of Joseph Stalin often had people mysteriously disappear from later versions. The originals, which later surfaced, showed the truth before political purging began. The original, unedited versions were long dismissed as fake until they were verified.
14. Sailor Kissing Nurse in Times Square (1945)
Cpl Aubry L. Buzek on Wikimedia
Some believed the iconic World War II kiss was staged or performed by actors. The candid shot, however, was taken spontaneously by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. The couple were strangers celebrating Japan’s surrender, and their identities were eventually confirmed.
15. Lincoln’s Ghost Behind Widow (1870s)
Brady, M.B on Wikimedia
A photo taken of Mary Todd Lincoln appeared to show Abraham Lincoln’s ghost behind her. It was initially called a fake by skeptics due to its eerie nature. Later studies found it was an early example of spirit photography that, surprisingly, used no darkroom trickery.