A photographer captures an image of something unexplainable. What happens next?

Posted in Mystery on Jul 5, 2024

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✍️ 75 stories

“The Phantom Fisherman of Oia” by Adekemi Adeniyan

Submitted to Contest #258

Eleni’s hands shook with fear as she held the Polaroid, her bronzed skin looked pale against the golden Santorini dusk. What began as a peaceful stroll through Oia’s labyrinthine streets had morphed into something far more disconcerting. Her camera hung heavily around her neck, its presence suddenly burdensome. Purchased impulsively that morning from a quaint alley shop, its vintage allure and instant photo printing had enticed her despite being a photographer since being a teenager. Now, she regretted ever buying it. “This can’t be real,” s...

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“Badger Badger” by Thalia Muse

Submitted to Contest #258

It began on September 12th, 2024. Liam Woodsworth, a photographer of little fame, posted an image of the Wisconsin forests that would change the world. The image was mostly trees, but you could see a badger standing on its hind legs, staring at the camera. Badgers weren't supposed to do that…and there was something in its eyes that nobody could place. Liam was as confused as everyone else. People became fascinated with this inexplicable image. And people started going missing. But they always do. The image went viral. #WhatTheBadgerDoi...

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“Hidden Highways” by Ellen Bennett

Submitted to Contest #258

Hidden Highways©2024 Ellen Bennett I don’t believe in conventional ghosts. The nature of my work lends itself to being open to and understanding that the presence of spirits is quite natural. I am a professional photographer, and my compositions of choice are old, abandoned buildings; warehouses, distressed barns, burned out churches, anything that is run down, decrepit, dying or dead. My wife shakes her head. “...

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“Neverborn” by Samuel Bowen

Submitted to Contest #258

Shuddering metal whispered into the night and the forest lit up with neon white light. The searing light left no burnt smell in the air and in a blink everything faded to darkness. Yet the humming of nocturnal bugs never ceased. Linda let out a held breath as she stared at the picture piercing the night from her camera's screen. With a smile, she took in the details of the landscape. Some said photography was a simple thing. Just point and click. Linda hated the disregard people had for her art. This proved them wrong! The dim lighting melde...

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“Remembrance” by Kyla Tavares

Submitted to Contest #258

Her camera dropped from her hands, falling and falling, until it hit the ground with a loud bang. The woman stared at it, unmoving. No…this must be some sort of joke, right? She thought to herself. Someone had just pulled a prank on her or used her camera somehow. Because this…these pictures…can’t be real. She slowly crouched down onto the floor...

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“Camelatte” by C J R Isely

Submitted to Contest #258

“Don’t be daft. Dragons aren’t real.”The moment he says it, I have to hold back my urge to respond with a scathing “Thank you captain obvious.” Instead, I force another smile that strains the muscles of my face and makes that vein throb in my temple. For the love of all things holy, all I wanted was to take a photo. Just one simple photo. And now it’s turned into this.He’s offering me back my phone and I can tell he’s unamused. His mustache bristles, his brow furrows, and his eyes shift from me to the burning building at my back. “Must’ve be...

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“Caught ” by J. Rain Sherwin

Submitted to Contest #258

As he transferred the paper into the final chemical bath, Edmund held his breath for a moment. He thought about what it could mean, if he had actually managed to capture a photo of the strange creature he had been seeing in his peripheral vision for so long.Firstly, it would mean that he wasn't going mad. He pushed his held breath out past his lips. That would be a large measure of relief, even though he had told himself over and over that he had very definitely witnessed it affecting items; it knocked over a bowl on the kitchen counter, and...

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“Fading Away” by John Pope

Submitted to Contest #258

I retired some time ago. Since retiring, I’ve taken up photography as a hobby. I find walking around the city taking pictures of everyday people doing everyday things very rewarding. I photograph people going about their normal lives, walking their dogs, feeding the pigeons, or just out running errands. Most of the time the pictures I take are good, but nothing to write home about. Once in a while, I get a shot of something interesting enough to show and make a little extra money. Today, one of my shots caught a homeless man and his dog sitt...

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“Unexplained Exposure: The Journey of the Soul” by Daniel R. Mangru

Submitted to Contest #258

Pat Levy hung photographs along a thin clothesline in his dimly lit darkroom. Suddenly, an image caused him to clench his chest in pain. "No, it can't be." His hand trembled as he steadied himself against the countertop. The room spun as the photograph developed, its clarity sharpening with each passing second. A few minutes passed and Pat Levy was standing on his feet, shaky as they were. He wiped a tear that slid down his cheek and detached the paper from the line to examine it after putting on his glasses. His fingers spread wide apart fr...

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“Cameras never lie” by Eddie McKenzie

Submitted to Contest #258

Henry was a photographer, freelance and somehow forever just one step behind whatever was necessary to make a name for himself. That said, he had managed to get a landscape or two featured in named magazines, and if he happened to have framed the article they were featured in and stored it safely in his room, that was rather between himself and his dresser. For something that was considered a glorified hobby, the fact that it was something that brought him joy managed to be far more important than any intention to monetize his pleasure. The ...

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“Collage” by Hadyne Wilson

Submitted to Contest #258

Marina stared down at the photo in disbelief. She watched as the photo slid from her fingers and floated to the floor. It couldn’t be. It looked nothing like the others. Like the others she had in her collection. Marina raced to her room where her camera was resting on the nightstand. She perched herself on the bed and sat in front of the window. Staring into the window directly across from her. Patiently waiting while anxiously tapping her finger on the shutter button. A light switched on in the room across from her as a man stepped into ...

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“The Night On The Shore” by Barbara Williams

Submitted to Contest #258

After a long three months of doing research for my next book, I wanted to take a nice long weekend break to clear my thoughts and all the words from my mind and feel good about the process. I called my best friend Nikolai to invite him out for drinks. There is this new bar and grill in the neighborhood we have been curious about and I have been dying for fried pickle spears with asiago cheese sprinkled on top. The vibe is pretty chill here and their drinks menu is out of this world. After we ate and had a few more drinks we decided to...

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“Curiosity's Curse” by Ignis Deigh

Submitted to Contest #258

Samuel knows that he should never have taken that picture. There have been rumors that there was something in those woods. Babies shriek and lose their little minds anytime they are anywhere near the forest, animals and pets avoid it like the plague. The deeper one goes into the forest the deader it looks. From lush and green trees to slowly more skeletal looking ones slowly start to appear until one reaches the pure heart of the forest. Everything is dead and baren, from larger animals to the tiniest of insects, there is no life in the hear...

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“Photobombed by a ghost?” by Neena Albarus

Submitted to Contest #258

CW: Discussions about experiences in the army. A startling chill gripped my spine, defying the warmth of the Virginia sun as we meandered through the cemetery. Regret gnawed at me for forgetting breakfast, but the graceful figure striding ahead was a fitting reminder of my eagerness to set up for the photo-shoot early. The elegant muse had promised a morning of artistic fulfilment which overshadowed my empty stomach with the thrill of a creative - and possibly romantic - endeavour. The lavish greenery beneath our feet and the ancient trees ...

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“Widow Manor ” by A. Stanley

Submitted to Contest #258

Brief mentions of death & murder (non graphic)The rickety black car jostled with every bump. I had taken the train into the little village of Pine Grove last week after the news broke that Widow Manor would be open to the public for the next month or so. Eloise Wayner was seen on TV for the first time in years, her once long red hair cut just below her jaw and deep green eyes held a timeless sorrow.“I know my home has been of great curiosity.” She smiled at the camera, her eyes crinkled and her nose scrunched in a way that made her smile...

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A photographer captures an image of something unexplainable. What happens next?

Submissions are closed

✍️ 75 stories

“The Phantom Fisherman of Oia” by Adekemi Adeniyan

“Badger Badger” by Thalia Muse

“Hidden Highways” by Ellen Bennett

“Neverborn” by Samuel Bowen

“Remembrance” by Kyla Tavares

“Camelatte” by C J R Isely

“Caught ” by J. Rain Sherwin

“Fading Away” by John Pope

“Unexplained Exposure: The Journey of the Soul” by Daniel R. Mangru

“Cameras never lie” by Eddie McKenzie

“Collage” by Hadyne Wilson

“The Night On The Shore” by Barbara Williams

“Curiosity's Curse” by Ignis Deigh

“Photobombed by a ghost?” by Neena Albarus

“Widow Manor ” by A. Stanley

🌟 Similar prompts

A forgotten photograph tucked away somewhere is the catalyst for an unexpected journey.

Center your story around two strangers who bond over their shared love of photography.

Write a story where a photograph could change the course of history if it’s delivered to the right (or wrong!) person.

Start your story with someone who has lost everything but finds solace in photography.

Contest #258

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

289

Contest entries

88

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: