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40 Interesting ‘Then And Now’ Photos That Show How Time Affects Everything (New Pics)
History has a lot to tell us, and photography offers a fascinating way to peek into the past. A single old pic, captured half a century ago, placed side by side with a contemporary one, can show big differences.
The subreddit r/OldPhotosInRealLife does just that. It uses rephotography to show us old pictures of places, people, and moments from the past, combined with how they look today. Whether you're a history lover or a person captivated by the art of visual storytelling, you'll definitely want to explore our fresh compilation of these pictures from the online community.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Usually It’s The Other Way Around, But This Is So Nice! 1980s vs. 2022
Just like books, photography can take us on a journey through time. It's a relatively young art form, starting with Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's earliest photo in 1826 or 1827. If pictures from a hundred years ago reveal this much change, think about what we could uncover with images from the medieval or Stone Age periods.
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#2
Rio De Janeiro's Reforestation
#3
Sitting On Their 1947 Chevrolet In Front Of A Diner, And Then 63 Years Later
The 'Old Photos In Real Life' subreddit focuses on a particular style of photography called 'rephotography' or 'repeat photography'. It involves taking a picture at two different times in history and placing them next to each other. For instance, satellite images of a place before and after a flood, or photos of a person at various ages.
#4
1887 Queen Anne Victorian Brought Back In Remarkable Restoration (Photos)
Iva Kazalova 2 years ago
I can’t believe quite how they actually kept the original features the house looks nothing like a Victorian mansion
#5
The Same Whale Photographed 35 Years Apart! Both Photos Taken Off The Coast Of Mexico. The Recent Image Is From 2020, While The Old Photo Dates From 1985
#6
Opening Up The Original River Through Gent, Belgium. 2009 vs. 2022
Rephotography started in the natural sciences to reveal changes in the environment, like erosion or melting glaciers. It's also used in sociology to show how towns and cities transform. In education, rephotography can uncover changes in schools and campuses.
#7
Haarlemmerdijk Street In Amsterdam, Netherlands (1971 And 2020)
#8
My Hometown Kharkov In Ukraine 2022-2022
#9
Oxford
Rephotography is cool because it can show how cities change, and can also demonstrate the effects of climate change. For example, a picture from 2004 might capture a boat sailing along a waterway, whereas a photo from 1899 taken at the same spot shows a massive glacier. On the edges of the waterway, there are now lots of green trees and bushes growing on what used to be a snowy rocky area a hundred years ago.
#10
So Refreshing. No Skyscrapers Or Parking Lots In Sight!!
#11
An Abandoned Victorian Home Has Been Dramatically Restored In Rarden, Ohio, USA
#12
Boston - Elevated Highway Moved Underground, Replaced With Green Space. (1990s V. 2010s)
Using old photos of Alaska as his guide, photographer Ron Karpilo embarked on an journey through mountains, rivers, and untamed terrain. His mission? To recreate views captured by photographers of the past, showing the impact of climate change. Through his lens, Karpilo captured the transformation of melting glaciers, plant life, and landscapes over time.
#13
Tried My Best To Find The Same Location. Satiam Wagon Road, Oregon. 2022 vs. Date Unknown. Road Was Used 1860-1930s
#14
Point Dume, Malibu, California. Ad 2023 And Ad 3978
#15
Environmental Changes
In a conversation with 'Yale Climate Connections,' Karpilo shared his thoughts about using pictures to tell stories. He used beautiful pictures of Alaska's changing environment to keep people interested and curious. "You're showing pretty pictures of Alaska, and they get interested, and so it kind of hooks them and makes it so they can understand," Karpilo explained. This idea connects with a lot of people: "Everyone's taken pictures, everyone can see what's happening. And so it's really a tool that speaks to anyone, and that's my favorite part about it."
#16
Saw This Post On R/Battlepaintings And Did Some Poking Around. Battle Of Vimeiro (Portugal) 1808 By Patrice Courcelle… And Today
#17
1878 - 2022. Tetons. Not Much Has Really Changed In This Photo. But I Still Think It's Neat
#18
Unlucky House In San Francisco, 1936 And 2022
Karpilo's photo project clearly shows the impact of climate change. "When you show a glacier that's just not there anymore, it's hard to dispute," he emphasized. "It's disappearing, something is changing, and so that's what's made it such a good tool." By combining art and caring for the environment, Karpilo not only takes pictures of how Alaska is changing, but also inspires people to take action.
#19
Woodstock
#20
The World's Oldest Undeground Station, Baker Street, England. 157 Years Apart
#21
Abandoned Subway, New York City. Built In 1904
We hope Karpilo's journey and discoveries gave you some food for thought and inspired for some positive environmental action. If not now, then when? And if these insights don't confirm global warming, what will?
#22
Route 66 Between Barstow And Oro Grande, Ca. 1917 And 2023
#23
Naples, Italy
#24
Acropolis Of Athens (Greece) 1851 vs. 2021
We can make a positive impact on environmental change by adopting sustainable habits. Using renewable energy, recycling, and protecting nature is key. Educating others and working together in our communities can create a big difference. With smart choices and teamwork, we can create a better future for our planet and the next generations.
#25
The Curecanti Needle, Black Canyon, Colorado, 1880s vs. 2023
#26
Bran Castle/Dracula's Castle, Romania (1920s And 2022)
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
Every so often, on the darkest nights, an Uber Eats driver drives up to the castle and is never seen again
#27
The Oldest Surviving Camera Negative – Lacock Abbey, England, 1835 And 2022
Auntriarch 2 years ago
My paternal grandmother was from Lacock (waiting for the censor to change it to Lac**ck)
The r/OldPhotosInRealLife subreddit acts like a digital time machine, bringing generations together. It's a bridge connecting the past and today, offering a fascinating and heartwarming visual link to history. Keep scrolling and explore more pictures by the group. Find additional historical gems in our earlier editions: here, here, here, and here.
#28
Hoover Dam Water Level July 1983 vs. December 2022
#29
The Ancient Theatre Of Delphi, Greece
#30
Van Gogh In Arles 1888 And Locations Now
#31
The Same View Of Hong Kong In 1964 And 2016
#32
Warsaw City Centre, 1944/2022
#33
The Cultural As Well As Human Cost Of A 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake; Gaziantep Castle, Turkey, At The Start Of The Month vs. The End
#34
Sydney, Australia - 1932 vs. 2022
#35
Intersection Of Beaufait And Darby Avenues, Porter Ranch, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles - From A Scene In “E.t.” In 1982 And In 2022
#36
Acropolis Of Athens (Greece) 1670-1860s-2021
Hippopotamuses 2 years ago
What a shame that after a thousand years the Parthenon got blown up.
#37
A Whole City Submersed In Itá - Brazil (1985 - 2020)
#38
Süreyya Beach In 1940s And Nowadays, Istanbul
Ece Cenker 2 years ago (edited)
This is true, I assure you. Here is a bit of explanation. sureya-64d...063f96.jpg 
#39
Statue Of Liberty Under Construction In Paris, Circa 1882. Photo Composite By Julian Knez
Mimi La Souris 2 years ago
when paris was still a city where the poor and middle class could live
#40
Pripyat - Ukraine - 1986 2016
#41
Allen House, San Diego, California. One Of The Earliest Examples Of Modernism/Minimalism In Architecture. 1907 And 2014
#43
An Elephant Protecting Its Herd, Charges And Derails A Train (128 Years Ago Today)
Weng Chong Lam 2 years ago
It was in Teluk Intan (aka Teluk Anson), Malaysia. Railway line built in 1893. Removed by the Japanese in WWII.
#44
The Boyle Hotel In Los Angeles Has Undergone A $24.6 Million Renovation
#45
Looking North On The East Side Of 5th Avenue From East 34th St In Midtown Manhattan, New York. (1910's vs. Today)
#46
1901 Mail Coach At The Alice Springs Telegraph Station 2019
#47
Southern Suburb Of Beirut (Lebanon) 2006 vs. 2021
#48
Parthenon (Athens, Greece). 1875 vs. 2022
#50
London In 1980 vs. Now
#51
Monaco In To Catch A Thief In 1955 And In 2021
Mimi La Souris 2 years ago
soooo much prettier before. I find that now this city has become for a city what the kardashians are for humans
#52
Church Of The Redeemer In Toronto, 98 Years Apart
#53
Harlem 30 Years Ago And Now
#54
San Francisco 1920 And 2020
#55
Kedarnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India. Photos From 1882 And 2022
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
1882, temple: "This is so peaceful and quiet and tranquil... I think I will have a nap" *140 years of napping later* temple: "WTF!"
#57
The Home Of Al Capone In Chicago In The Late 1920s
#58
Eastwick, Philadelphia, 1927 (Colorized) vs. 2022
Rob Chapman 2 years ago (edited)
This one needs context. The area seen here is now part of a national wildlife refuge and recreation area. This portion of the neighborhood was built on reclaimed marshland, and experienced frequent flooding and subsidence. It was slowly returned to its natural state beginning in the 70's.
#59
My Kids Playing Along The Shoreline At Our Camp In 2022 And My Brother And I Back In 1991
michael Chock 2 years ago
Glad the tree survived, it didn't look like it was going to make it.
#60
M*a*s*h Set Location Early 70s vs. 2023
MagicJacket 2 years ago
Still a fun, easy hike to get back there too. They left the stuff there specifically as points of interest, as there is a placard (as you can see in the photo) about the location. If you look closely, you can see the famous signpost from the show that had arrows pointing to San Francisco, Seoul, Toledo, Boston etc is still there.
#61
Australia’s Wonderland, Sydney. Now Lost
#62
The Maplewood Hotel In Pittsfield, Mass In The Early 1900s, And The Same Spot In 2016
#63
Saltair Pavilion, Great Salt Lake, Ut, 1910s And Now
#64
My. Rushmore Before And After Carving
Biana Weatherford 2 years ago
Can we take a moment and recall that this is sacred land. And we just pushed right in and made it a tourist pit stop.
#65
10 Years In Detroit. 2009 And 2019. House Proud Lawn Mowing To Abandoned Debris
#66
Ray Liotta And Joe Pesci Outside A Queens, NY Diner In The Movie Goodfellas (Filmed In 1989)
#67
Grossinger’s Outdoor Pool, Olympic-Sized. Built In 1949 At A Cost Of $400,000 (About $5 Million In Today’s Market.)
#68
Escobar Street In Havana 1950 And Now
#69
Mosquito Crossing, Greensboro Georgia (1939 vs. 2021) 1939 Photo Is By Marion Post Wolcott (Colorized By Me). 2021 Is Google Street View
Hippopotamuses 2 years ago (edited)
It’s amazing, how through all of that change, the original store appears to have survived.
#70
Miami X-Ray Clinic 1942 And 2023. Dr. Samuel H. Johnson Became The First Black Radiologist In South Florida To Serve The Area’s Black Population For Those Denied X-Rays At The Hospital
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago (edited)
Looks like Florida needs a new protected historical building.
#71
Toronto, 1973-2023
#72
Before 9/11 And After 2015
#73
Chicago Skyline 1986 vs. 2022 (As Seen In Perfect Strangers)
#74
Downtown Toronto (1953 vs. 2017)
#75
American Embassy In Greece, 1962 And 2022
#76
Home Alone Time Gap
#77
Irving Mall 1984 vs. Irving Mall 2022
#78
Washington St. Brooklyn, NY - 1974 & Today
#79
Queen And Soho, Toronto, Canada - 2009 And Now
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What do you think ?
Kat 2 years ago (edited)
Uplifting to see so many places actually improved. Thanks. I needed that. (Edit: sp)
R Dennis 2 years ago
Yeah. Usually these are depressing. This was a very nice change (mostly).
Load More Replies...
Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
The title was a bit misleading--I expected this to be depressing. How about Comparison Photos: Then and Now. Or something.
Sharon Ingram 2 years ago
I’m confused about one thing. Why is the water level of lakes and dams in the US so epically different yet in other locations around the world it is the same today as it was 100 years ago?
Kat 2 years ago
My guess is that it's a combination of drought (not enough supply of water by rain and dried up streams and because of that more use of water for irrigation and such) and poor overall (from source to outfall, taking All aspects of water use, both natural and human, into consideration) water management
Load More Replies... Kat 2 years ago (edited)
Uplifting to see so many places actually improved. Thanks. I needed that. (Edit: sp)
R Dennis 2 years ago
Yeah. Usually these are depressing. This was a very nice change (mostly).
Load More Replies... Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
The title was a bit misleading--I expected this to be depressing. How about Comparison Photos: Then and Now. Or something.
Sharon Ingram 2 years ago
I’m confused about one thing. Why is the water level of lakes and dams in the US so epically different yet in other locations around the world it is the same today as it was 100 years ago?
Kat 2 years ago
My guess is that it's a combination of drought (not enough supply of water by rain and dried up streams and because of that more use of water for irrigation and such) and poor overall (from source to outfall, taking All aspects of water use, both natural and human, into consideration) water management
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