Your take on the famous "Madonna of Bachelor's Grove" photo?

[MarkMc1990]

Taken in August 1991 by the Ghost Research Society, this photo is considered by many to be one of the most convincing pieces of ghost photography. This photo is featured on paranormal websites everywhere with no explanation for the figure sitting on the grave stone. Experts have found no traces of tampering. Given the clarity and undeniability of the figure, this photo is either the definitive proof of the existence of ghosts, or it's a daring and blatant fraud. As much as I want to believe its a real ghost in this photo...An overwhelming part of me wonders if perhapse its just a real, living woman in dressed in old-time clothing and hair posing -- a fraud contrived by the GRS for publicity and attention. The reason I wonder is because the figure is subjected by light and shadow. You can see the light on her chest, arms, and lap and her shadow on the stone by her butt and also the shadow of her legs in the grass. A ghost wouldn't have a shadow. Not saying it IS a fraud, but just naturally wondering. What do you guys think? Real or fake?

[Aten]

I`m not a expert on this however the story goes the pic was taken with a special type of film infrared I think and that film can show things different than the traditional films. One thing is for sure BG has paranormal activity and when 2 different people describe the ghost house exactly the same and they never knew one another and were interviewed at different times by Richard Crowe that says something about the place.

[CinemaPaula]

I've always wanted to discuss this with others! This, of course, is the photo that always comes up when you type 'Bachelors Grove'...

I just don't believe this one. Im sorry to those that do, but its just too good to be true. I also see what I would interpret to be a shadow, and Im a FIRM believer in the fact that people who WANT to see something, or expect to see something are more likely to see it when viewing a photo.

Its a matter of suggestion - if I take a photo and say 'There was a UFO sighted here' people will LOOK for one.
While the subject in this photo is obvious, I think the person being photographed was likely flesh and blood.
People do take hoax photos, people plan hoaxes, people like attention, people WANT to believe.

I have digital pics where you could say someone very alive 'appears' translucent due to a long exposure, and slight movement - when I could easily SAY it was high speed. (Which is why I LOVE digital cameras! They tell you all the info in the file information! Exposure, camera, settings, resolution, etc!) And unfortunately - nowadays, even the most novice user can attempt a faked photo with minimal software and effort - so IMO people viewing them must be even MORE skeptical. =(

While the photo is a great one, and IMO will always be a classic - I wouldn't ever put my money on this one being a 'real ghost'. =) Just my opinion, for what its worth - and I respect anyone who agrees to disagree.

[bachelorsgrove_com]

I think that it makes a big difference when you are able to speak with the person that has captured any material. Especially with something of this importance. Until I can complete an interview, whether off/on the record with the photographer, I don't have anything to really say about the matter. I feel that once the moment arrives and I can get a particular request fulfilled it will at least give me some personal answers. If they would care to go on the record to help clear up the matter, especially with what I have in mind, that would be excellent. I have had more than enough weird occurrences happen to me while visiting the cemetery. To dismiss this photograph right away, at least for someone in my position, would be very irresponsible.

As for labeling it the "Madonna" of Bachelors Grove, that's one thing. I guess that is bound to happen. But to go so far as to claim that it is the relative of anyone buried at the cemetery is really pushing it. I don't think anyone is in a position to be making claims like that unless they can come up with some very good research. Then there is that story of a female ghost that supposedly carries a baby around.. If that story turns out to be true how can anyone say that it has any relation to the person in the photograph or to anyone buried at the cemetery for that matter?

I say take things one step at a time and not embellish the situation. As for the Fulton family having ANY relationship to the woman in the photograph, that story is "spin" of another "story" on the photograph. Which has become its own story in some ways based on how it was released. I have personally concluded that the story was released in the local media as a way to advertise a location to make money, and yes, they sure did make money... It was humorous to a point to watch that story become an urban legend in itself, but now it makes me sick to see how that same person is trying to use the cemetery directly as a means to make money. If people want details on this situation I can go into it, just ask.

Pete

[CinemaPaula]

I must say - Im always distressed to hear of anyone trying to profit off of something historical, particularly when feeding off of the 'paranormal' side of things.

As I said, I consider myself a skeptical believer - but too many 'scam artists' give anything even remotely 'reputably paranormal' a bad name. This includes (almost exclusively) those who try to profit off of situations and places like Bachelors Grove.

Please do tell, I would like to know more about the story behind this photo and how the situation/name became what it is.

[lauermar]

I believe in paranormal, therefore I believe the photo may be authentic. The camera shutter moves at a speed that is too fast for human eyes to see, and the entity may have appeared in that time frame and was captured yet not seen by human eyes. I don't believe there is anyone within miles that dresses up like that, nor do I believe they would for this picture. I have read that the photographer did submit his photo to several scientificlabs to have them debunk it, yet they were unable to. I don't know if this story is true or not, just that I read it.