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This Photographer Asks People To Reenact Their Old Photographs, Here’s The Result (30 Pics)
Interview With ArtistIrina Werning is a freelance photojournalist from Buenos Aires, Argentina who specializes in personal long-term projects. Her journey into the world of photography began in her 30s when she got her first camera. Since then, she has passionately captured stories through her lens.
In 2011, Werning started a photography project "Back to the Future" which focused on recreating old photographs of people in their current lives. The photographer asked her subjects to find old photos of themselves and then replicate the same scene, pose, and clothing as closely as possible. She captured these images side by side, showing the contrast between the past and the present.
"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today… In 2011, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future," Werning writes on her website.
More info: irinawerning.com | Instagram
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Christoph, 1990-2011, Berlin
We reached out to Werning to learn more about her creative process and herself. "Back to the Future" started in 2011 and gained widespread attention, leading to exhibitions and publications around the world. The photographer shared that it was an exciting project. "I shot 600 pictures in 43 countries. It was like a crash course in fashion, history, culture, anatomy, and the art of making friends."
Rosana, Marcela And Rodrigo, 1982-2012, Rio De Janeiro
Lukas, 1980-2012, Berlin
Werning told us that the idea for this project struck her while strolling through the streets of Buenos Aires with a friend. "He had tasked me with scanning his mother's wedding negatives, and as we walked, he pointed out the exact spot where one of my favorite pictures had been taken. It was this peculiar accidental shot of his mother beside a trash heap on her way to the church for her wedding. Standing there, I thought, 'What if I recreate this moment? Same location, lighting, and clothes.' Her response? A resounding 'No, thanks.'"
Javier And Jaime, 1976-2012, Madrid
Duquesa De Alba, 1931-2012, Madrid
Some pictures require bravery and a desire to revisit old childhood days. Looking at all the shots, we were wondering how Werning found her subjects. The photographer explained, "I used my website as a platform to announce the countries I planned to visit, prompting people to send me their pictures via email."
Zubrano Family, 1999-2011, Buenos Aires
Snorri, 1991-2012, Reykjavik
Werning shared that she's still in touch with the people she photographed and is waiting for some years to go by to shoot the third picture.
At the moment, the photographer is in the final stages of a long-term project focusing on women with long hair in Latin America. "It’s a story about culture and tradition and the beauty of my country and the whole region." For further exploration of Werning's portfolio, visit her website!
Mechi, 1990-2012, Buenos Aires
Leanne, 1982-2011, New York
Orna And Sharon, 1985-2012, Tel Aviv
Mickey Mouse, 1989-2012, Disneyland Paris
Edwin, 1990-2012, Accra
Margot, 1980-2012, Reykjavik
Cristina, 1993-2012, Caracas
Sarah And Jim, 1988-2011, Boston
Mazarine, 1976-2012, Paris
Carol, 1988-2012, Berlin
Domenica, 1985-2012, Mexico
Ben, 1980-2012, Berlin
Devoto, 1990-2011, Buenos Aires
Nelhe, 1980-2012, Hamburg
Shahar And Mor, 1992-2011, Jerusalem
Giorgio, 1982-2011, Paris
Kristin And Birta, 1993-2012, Reykjavik
Rikke, 1972-2011, Copenhagen
Vietinghoff Sisters, 1982-2012, Berlin
Isaac, 1991-2011, New York
Ismael And Cindy, 1994-2012, Santiago De Chile
Valy, Herdis And Gudny, 1993-2012, Reykjavik
Malu And Simone, 1997-2012, Disneyland Paris
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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My husband (right) and his friends...30 years in between. 426828280_...11c23f.jpg
We all saw the recreations, and my question is "how do they find the same clothes in such different sizes?" I mean I cannot fit in the clothes I wore last week, but here we see clothes with the same prints as a kid's and an adult's..
Her attention to recreating the little details is awesome. Also, I will always be fascinated by the way people change as the grow up/age, but they still are the same people.
How the heck did they pull off the clothes? They're like ... identical, most of the time, but bigger. Well done!!
Three old school friends are getting together in May, maybe we should go through the old photos....
My husband (right) and his friends...30 years in between. 426828280_...11c23f.jpg
We all saw the recreations, and my question is "how do they find the same clothes in such different sizes?" I mean I cannot fit in the clothes I wore last week, but here we see clothes with the same prints as a kid's and an adult's..
Her attention to recreating the little details is awesome. Also, I will always be fascinated by the way people change as the grow up/age, but they still are the same people.
How the heck did they pull off the clothes? They're like ... identical, most of the time, but bigger. Well done!!
Three old school friends are getting together in May, maybe we should go through the old photos....