Ed Keffel

Photographer

Press photographer who took five pictures of a UFO that were published by O Cruzeiro, a Brazilian weekly magazine in 1952.

While working on the job for their magazine, Ed Keffel, a press photographer, and journalist, João Martins, witnessed an unusual flying object at Barra da Tijuca. Martins first noticed the craft and realized that it was not an airplane as it was flying sideways. Immediately, he alerted Keffel who had his camera already loaded. Keffel was able to take five pictures in about a minute. APRO, the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, consider these photographs to be some of the best ever recorded. Others discredit the authenticity of the pictures.

Photos

A selection of most relevant photos related to Ed Keffel.

Five photos taken near Barra da Tijuca on May 7, 1952, claimed to document a "flying saucer" or UFO.

Infamous photo (2 of 5 taken) near Barra da Tijuca on May 7, 1952, claimed to be of a UFO (OVNI).

Barra da Tijuca UFO photo #3 detailed the location in Barra da Tijuca with the beautiful beach cliffs in the background.

Several prominent scientists and skeptics, including Menzel, sited the odd light and shadows in this photo to prove the photos were faked. The shadows on the trees indicated a light source in contrast of the rest of the photos.

Barra da Tijuca UFO Photo #5 had less detail and appeared to show a north-south oriented object.

Documents

A selection of most relevant documents related to Ed Keffel.

Detailed 1952 U.S. embassy examination of photo negatives showed photos were not a hoax.

Keffel and Martins 1952 Brazil UFO photos remained in the public eye for over a decade.

Brazilian newsmen alleged to have taken 5 flying saucer photos in Rio de Janeiro district in 1952.

A Brazilian news reporter and cameraman claimed they saw a UFO and were able to take five pictures.

Related Incidents

Barra da Tijuca Photos

May 1952

Photographer Ed Keffel and reporter João Martins claim to have witnessed - and documented with five famous photos - a UFO near Barra da Tijuca, Brazil. The authenticity of these photos has been in question for years. On May 7, 1952, at approximately 4:30 PM local time, photographer Ed Keffel took...

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