Can anyone identify this?

[Jim Smith]

My friend, knowing that I have an interest in astronomy, asked me to identify the odd looking shapes in this holiday photo. It was taken in Zakynthos about 4/5 years ago, around July time. Apparently they were not visible with the naked eye but only showed up afterwards in the photo. She cannot remember the make or model of the camera or smartphone used. Other photos taken near the time did not show these shapes.

Are they something real or just some camera problem? I thought they might be the focussing assist light reflected off some flying insects. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

[Swoop1]

Sensor artifacts?

I have noticed odd patterns on bokeh effects in some more recent TV and film productions. I think it is related to the construction of the camera sensor.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Must be camera/sensor artifacts.

I think if there was anything as interesting as that in the night sky...................

Most everyone would know about it.

As to what they are/cause............

Not a clue.

Middle frame  image one looks like an evil dogs head with glowing eyes. Next looks like a monkey of one kind or another and the furthest right looks like the hand of Fatima.

[Outbelow]

It is probably your camera sensor going bad or it was damaged.

[TrishP]

Hi, I am the friend of Jim & since found out that the camera used was a Sony with a Karl Zeiss lens. Pitch bkack & no light pollution from street lights etc. Thank you for your feedback!

[Cozzy]

looks like a face and two hands to me with one hand pushed forward to block the camera lens.

likely just a mistimed photo. ?