The camera never lies, they say. But what happens when a photograph or film inadvertently clashes with what we think of as reality or normality? For example, when someone who is seemingly from another place, time or plane of existence is inexplicably captured in the frame. Or when that person is never seen or heard from again. Here, then, we round up 20 of the most mysterious people ever to have had their pictures taken.

20. The Solway Firth Spaceman

A summer’s day in Cumbria, England in 1964. Jim Templeton and his wife Annie were taking their daughter Elizabeth on a trip to the Solway Firth. He took a picture of Elizabeth, but something strange appeared in the developed photograph – a mysterious figure, seemingly helmeted and white-suited. Photography firm Kodak offered a prize to any expert who could prove the image was a hoax, but no one could debunk the so-called Solway Firth Spaceman. However, some say it could be an overexposed and bleached-out Annie inadvertently walking into the shot.

19. The Babushka Lady

November 22, 1963 will forever be associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In the aftermath, FBI and CIA investigators appealed for anyone who had photographic evidence of the day. This is how the “Babushka Lady,” so-called because of her head-scarf, was found; she was pictured in many sources pointing what looks to be a camera toward the president’s car when the shots were fired. Her footage could be crucial, but the woman never made herself known.