Our passion for photography is only matched by our love of history and everything that’s vintage. We firmly believe that only a solid grasp of history can help us avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and lead to a better future for everyone. And there’s nothing like a direct comparison to really show us how much time and life have changed things.

That’s the beauty of the ‘Old Photos In Real Life’ subreddit, a celebration of the contrast between the past and modern life. The page features photos from both the past and present, comparing them side by side in order for everyone to truly get how deep some of the changes go. And, in some rare cases, how in some locations things have pretty much stayed more or less the same over the decades and even centuries.

Scroll down for the best pics featured by ‘Old Photos In Real Life,’ and remember to upvote the ones that impressed you the most. Tell us all about your favorite pics and why you enjoyed them in the comment section at the bottom of this list, dear Pandas. Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood for some more great examples of rephotography, be sure to check out these articles right here and here.

Bored Panda got in touch with moderator u/Npbugati who told us all about the history of r/OldPhotosInRealLife, how they created a 'ghost' bot to help moderate the community, and why the subreddit is important to them. Scroll down for Bored Panda's interview with them, as well as for our chat about rephotography with professional photographer Dominic Sberna.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Here’s A Wonderful 1915 Pasadena Craftsmen Located In Bunglsow Heaven That I Had The Pleasure Of Purchasing And Restoring A Few Years Back. Although This House Was Only 950 Sqft It Took Nearly 2 Years To Complete The Renovations Due To Working With The Pasadena Historical Society And City Permitting

Old house renovation shows time's effect: dilapidated top image, beautifully restored bottom image.

Viral-Eye Report

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    #2

    Chróstnik Palace 2009 vs. 2021. Chróstnik, Lubin County, Poland.

    Restoration transformation of a historic building from 2009 to 2014, showing the impact of time and renovation.

    reddit.com Report

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    #3

    For The First Time In 76 Years, Wwii Veteran Robert White Stands In The Vicinity In Which He Landed After Jumping Into Germany In March Of 1945. He Was As A Paratrooper With The 17th Airborne Division.

    Elderly man holds WWII photo at the same location, showing time's effect on the scenery.

    DiosMioMan2 Report

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    #4

    Newcastle Castle, UK - 1895 To 2022

    Old photos compared with present-day archway scene, showcasing time's effects on architecture.

    pickindim_kmet Report

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    #5

    A 3.300-Year-Old Chariot Bridge Is Still In Use Today. The Arkadiko Bridge Was Built Between 1300 And 1190 Bce, Making It One Of The Oldest Still-Used Arch Bridges Still In Existence. It Was Built On A Road That Linked Tiryns To Epidaurus, And Was Part Of A Larger Military Road System.

    Ancient bridge illustration and its current stone structure, highlighting the effects of time on old photos in real life.

    iamDB_Cooper Report

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    #6

    Before And After Boston's Big Dig, 1980s vs. Now

    Before-and-after photos showing an old overpass replaced by a modern park and urban landscape transformation.

    redvelvet-cupcake Report

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    #7

    Wrocław 1945 And 2022

    Old photos in real life: a historic street in ruins on the left and the same street restored on the right.

    bruheboo Report

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    #8

    Chernobyl Power Plant Control Room In 1986 And Now

    Abandoned control room over time, showcasing the impact of aging on equipment and surroundings.

    Scientiaetnatura065 Report

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    #9

    Holland, 82-2020

    Old photos show urban change in Utrecht, Holland from 1982 to 2020 with added trees and cycling paths.

    -Johnny- Report

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    #10

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Old photos comparison showing a historic stone bridge over a river, with buildings and a church in the misty background.

    icantfixtheliquids Report

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    #11

    Moore Hall, Ireland, 1800s vs. Today

    Old photo of Moore Hall before and after nature overgrew it post-1923 fire, Co Mayo, Ireland.

    Jamiegrr Report

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    #12

    Tunnel Rock At Sequoia National Park, 1952 And 2020

    Two photos show a road under a rock arch, with an old car in the vintage photo above and no vehicle in the recent photo below.

    Eddielowfilthslayer Report

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    #13

    Clifton Rocks Railway, Clifton, Bristol. 1905 And Today

    Old photos in real life: Clifton Rocks Railway past vs. present, showing time's effect on architecture and landscape.

    TogderNodger Report

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    #14

    Borodyanka, Ukraine – Before The War And Today

    Old photos vs. real life: A building before and after significant damage, showing the effects of time and conflict.

    ViciousNakedMoleRat Report

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    #15

    Railway Station In Okhtyrka, Ukraine

    Old photos show a building's transformation: destroyed in 1943, restored in 2017, and ruins again in 2022.

    IraStegnii Report

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    #16

    Odessa, Ukraine 1942- And Today

    Old photos show a historic building then and now, illustrating the effects of time on architecture.

    Happyintexas Report

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    tomasamongo avatar
    Tomása Mongo
    Tomása Mongo
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that the place where Ukrainians burned people alive inside the building?

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    #17

    Bhitargaon Temple, Kanpur, India. 1875 And 2011. Built In 5th Century Ce And Renovated By British In 1901. It's The Oldest Surviving Brick Structure In India

    Old photos show a temple from 1875 and an updated version from 2011, highlighting changes over time.

    1NbSHXj3 Report

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    #18

    The Arch Of Ctesiphon As It May Have Appeared In 600ad. Compared To Its Remaining Ruins Today In Iraq

    "Old photos in real life: ancient grand archway in 600 AD with vibrant details and a deteriorated version in 2021."

    RonRizzle Report

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    #19

    Washington Square Arch In NYC

    Old photos side by side showing arch and skyline changes over time.

    chazwazzle Report

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #20

    The Monstrosity That Was The Kowloon Walled City

    Old photos reveal urban transformation over time; a dense city block turns into lush greenery and modern buildings.

    NoYourself Report

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    #21

    Panch Ratha Monument, Mahabalipuram, India. Monolithic Temples Sculptured From Granite Rocks Between 630 - 668 Ce. 1825 Sketch By J. Braddock J. Gantz And Now. It's A Unesco World Heritage Site.

    Old photos vs. real life: ancient temples contrasting 1825 artwork with modern-day photograph.

    1NbSHXj3 Report

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    #22

    Circa 1803 Hope Plantation, Windsor, North Carolina Before And After Restoration

    Old house restoration comparison, showing the effects of time on architecture.

    Viral-Eye Report

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    canuck avatar
    George Carlin
    George Carlin
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hope Plantation...now there's an oxymoron

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    #23

    The Lincoln Memorial In 1920 Before The Reflecting Pool Was Built.

    Old photos show transformation of a monument view over time, highlighting environmental and architectural changes.

    dudewheresmycars Report

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    #24

    Same Car 1988 vs. 2021, Somewhere In Japan

    Old photos showing a car at a railway crossing, comparing the years 1988 and 2021, highlighting time's effects.

    noeku1t Report

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    #25

    Captured Japanese Mini Submarine In The Aleutian Islands, 1943 And 2021

    Old train wreck, then and now. Upper image shows black-and-white photo of a derailed train; lower image shows its rusty remains.

    ridjxn Report

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    #26

    Bok Tower (Built 1929) And Today …

    Three images show a tower over time, illustrating how time affects structures.

    Kickernick Report

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    #27

    Unknowingly Captured The Same Image In 2020 That My Dad Took On Vacation Back In 1965 - Shenandoah Np

    "Comparison of an old and recent photo showing the same road tunnel, highlighting the effect of time on the surrounding nature."

    yespleasetoast Report

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    #28

    Times Square A Few Years Apart

    "Old photos in real life: Times Square in 1900 vs 2021, showcasing dramatic changes over time."

    chazwazzle Report

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    #29

    The Mahabodhi Temple At Bodh Gaya, India, As Seen From A Second Century Plaque And How It Looks Like Today

    Ancient coin with temple engraving next to a modern photo of the Mahabodhi Temple, illustrating time's effect.

    reeeeeeeeeetarded Report

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    #30

    Manhattan, 1931 To 2018

    Old photos juxtaposed with a modern view, showing Manhattan's transformation from 1931 to 2018.

    PoppinToaster Report

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    #31

    Sas-Bahu Temple, Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India. 1869 And 2019. The Temple Was Built In 1093.

    Old photos in real life: Ancient temple comparison between 1869 and 2019 showing the effects of time.

    1NbSHXj3 Report

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    #32

    Family Farmhouse 1912-2022 (I'd Especially Like To Note That The Green Bench Has Been On The Front Porch For At Least 110 Years)

    Old photos juxtaposed with modern scene, showing time's effect on a vintage car and house.

    CodeE42 Report

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    #33

    Hiking On The Faroes Guided By The Old Cairns

    Old photos compared to real life: two images of a cairn in a hilly landscape, one in black and white and one in color.

    PaulePeterson Report

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    #34

    Edinburgh Princes Street, 1996 - Now

    Old photo held up to match the real-life location on a city street, showing the effects of time.

    reddit.com Report

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    #35

    Nickelodeon Studios In The 90’s vs. The Same Building Today

    Old Nickelodeon building compared to its modern look, showing time's effect on architecture.

    borshctbeet Report

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    #36

    The First McDonald's In Worcester - 1964 vs. 2021

    Comparative old and new photos showing the evolution of a McDonald's restaurant over time.

    Garchy Report

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