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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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?
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.
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.
Note: this post originally had 79 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
