50 Interesting ‘Then And Now’ Photos That Show How Time Affects Everything

History has much 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 significant 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 want to explore our fresh compilation of these pictures from the online community.

01. Usually, It’s The Other Way Around, But This Is So Nice! 1980s Vs. 2022

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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.

02. Rio De Janeiro’s Reforestation

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03. Sitting On Their 1947 Chevrolet In Front Of A Diner, And Then 63 Years Later

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The ‘Old Photos In Real Life’ subreddit focuses on a particular style of photography called ‘rephotography‘ or ‘repeat photography.’ It involves taking pictures 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.

04. Opening Up The Original River Through Gent, Belgium. 2009 Vs. 2022

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05. 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

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06. 1887 Queen Anne Victorian Brought Back In Remarkable Restoration (Photos)

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Rephotography started in the natural sciences to reveal environmental changes, 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.

07. Haarlemmerdijk Street In Amsterdam, Netherlands (1971 And 2020)

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08. My Hometown Kharkov In Ukraine 2022-2022

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09. Oxford

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Rephotography is cool because it can show how cities change and demonstrate climate change’s effects. 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, many green trees and bushes are growing on what used to be a snowy rocky area a hundred years ago.

10. I Tried My Best To Find The Same Location. Santiam Wagon Road, Oregon. 2022 vs. Date Unknown. Road Was Used 1860-1930s

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11. Boston – Elevated Highway Moved Underground, Replaced With Green Space. (1990s Vs. The 2010s)

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12. Unlucky House In San Francisco, 1936 And 2022

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Using old photos of Alaska as his guide, photographer Ron Karpilo embarked on a journey through mountains, rivers, and untamed terrain. His mission? To recreate views captured by photographers of the past, showing the impact of climate change. Karpilo captured the transformation of melting glaciers, plant life, and landscapes over time through his lens.

13. So Refreshing. No Skyscrapers Or Parking Lots In Sight!!

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14. Environmental Changes

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15. Route 66 Between Barstow And Oro Grande, CA. 1917 And 2023

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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. “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 many people: “Everyone’s taken pictures; everyone can see what’s happening. And so it’s a tool that speaks to anyone, and that’s my favorite part about it.”

16. I Saw This Post On R/Battlepaintings And Did Some Poking Around. Battle Of Vimeiro (Portugal) 1808 By Patrice Courcelle… And Today

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17. Woodstock

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18. An Abandoned Victorian Home Has Been Dramatically Restored In Rarden, Ohio, USA

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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 that’s what’s made it such a good tool.” By combining art and caring for the environment, Karpilo takes pictures of how Alaska is changing and inspires people to take action.

19. 1878 – 2022. Tetons. Not Much Has Changed In This Photo. But I Still Think It’s Neat

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20. Süreyya Beach In The 1940s And Nowadays, Istanbul

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21. Acropolis Of Athens (Greece) 1851 Vs. 2021

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We hope Karpilo’s journey and discoveries gave you some food for thought and inspired positive environmental action. If not now, then when? And if these insights don’t confirm global warming, what will?

22. Point Dume, Malibu, California. Ad 2023 And Ad 3978

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23. The World’s Oldest Underground Station, Baker Street, England. 157 Years Apart

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24. Bran Castle/Dracula’s Castle, Romania (1920s And 2022)

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We can make a positive impact on environmental change by adopting sustainable habits. Using renewable energy, recycling, and protecting nature is vital. Educating others and working together in our communities can create a big difference. With intelligent choices and teamwork, we can create a better future for our planet and the next generations.

25. 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

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26. Naples, Italy

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27. The Oldest Surviving Camera Negative – Lacock Abbey, England, 1835 And 2022

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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.

28. The Same View Of Hong Kong In 1964 And 2016

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29. The Curecanti Needle, Black Canyon, Colorado, 1880s Vs. 2023

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30. Abandoned Subway, New York City. Built In 1904

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31. The Ancient Theatre Of Delphi, Greece

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32. Hoover Dam Water Level July 1983 vs. December 2022

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33. Warsaw City Centre, 1944/2022

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34. Sydney, Australia – 1932 Vs. 2022

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35. Van Gogh In Arles 1888 And Locations Now

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36. Intersection Of Beaufait And Darby Avenues, Porter Ranch, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles – From A Scene In “E.t.” In 1982 And 2022

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37. Statue Of Liberty Under Construction In Paris, Circa 1882. Photo Composite By Julian Knez

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38. A Whole City Submersed In Itá – Brazil (1985 – 2020)

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39. Pripyat – Ukraine – 1986 2016

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40. Acropolis Of Athens (Greece) 1670-1860s-2021

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41. The Boyle Hotel In Los Angeles Has Undergone A $24.6 Million Renovation

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42. Ouro Preto, Brazil – Then And Now Photos

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43. An Elephant Protecting Its Herd, Charges And Derails A Train (128 Years Ago Today)

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44. Allen House, San Diego, California. One Of The Earliest Examples Of Modernism/Minimalism In Architecture. 1907 And 2014

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45. Looking North On The East Side Of 5th Avenue From East 34th St In Midtown Manhattan, New York. (1910’s vs. Today)

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46. Monaco In To Catch A Thief In 1955 And 2021

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47. Kedarnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India. Photos From 1882 And 2022

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48. 1901 Mail Coach At The Alice Springs Telegraph Station 2019

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49. Ann Arbor 1964 & 2019

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50. Harlem 30 Years Ago And Now

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