Strange artifact in a photo

[garreth64]

My wife took the below pic on her iphone at a family gathering last week, showing a strange artifact that has now become known as the 'orb'.

Several of my family believe this is some weird supernatural thing, so does anyone have any rational explanations as to what could cause this?

There was no similar image on any of the other pics either before or after.


Family gathering by garreth64, on Flickr

[Munter]

Looks like a hair to me.

[Gemm]

Definitely a ghost.

[Craikeybaby]

It does look like something on/in front of the lens, which due to the nature of the iPhone is easy to happen. Was the flash also used on the previous/next shots?

I've got a similar one, which was never answered:

Bulwick Woods by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

It was taken on my old 1D it was in the middle of a batch of 20 shots, all mounted on the tripod and some with the same shutter speed/exposure. I didn't notice anything when I was there, only when I got the images into Lightroom.

Has anyone got an explanation for the handshaped object on the right?

[Simpo Two]

More importantly, the house needs a bigger coat cupboard - poor chap has to drink his wine looking like he's just come back from a hike!

[Ledaig]

Is the woman just off camera the the right taking a picture/video? (mobile phone?)

Looks to me like it could be flare from a flash or video light from that direction. The wine glass also has a similar reflection on both sides as do the little ones eyes (although these are less defined).

[tog]

Munter said:

Looks like a hair to me.

Me too. Out of focus, and over exposed by being so close to the flash.

[shakotan]

garreth64 said:

Several of my family believe this is some weird supernatural thing.

FFS...

Take them outside and shoot them.

[Ledaig]

shakotan said:

FFS...

Take them outside and shoot them.

Would that result in less flare

[nellyleelephant]

Ledaig said:

shakotan said:

FFS...

Take them outside and shoot them.

Would that result in less flare

No, but possibly more ghosts.

[RobbieKB]

garreth64 said:

Several of my family believe this is some weird supernatural thing.

You know they might be on to something. I took the picture and lowered the exposure to see if perhaps it would show any detail of the orb and I think I can make something out...

[nellyleelephant]

RobbieKB said:

You know they might be on to something. I took the picture and lowered the exposure to see if perhaps it would show any detail of the orb and I think I can make something out...

^ pretty much perfect.

[crmcatee]

does your family really have a drinks table.