Urban change: post your then and now images!

I was reminded of an old project of mine of a few years back where I was documenting the changes in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham while I lived there and how interesting it was also finding other shots from people who had done the same but many years before me. It was when I saw a great thread by Lesmac herewhere he had found old shots of a locality and then tried to reproduce them as far as possible using the same stand-point and composition. This kinda thing is always fascinating and also very valuable from a 'documenting the times' point of view.

So I thought it could make a great theme here for all you urban shooters as it gives an excuse to go shoot and is also great fun and eduKashunal

I decided to search out some old photo's of St Albans and then go replicate them sometime. I found 127 pretty quickly here and settled on 10 that were of familiar local places and also half decent compositions (man, they sucked as shooters in 1910!!) I'm sure other places in the world have similar sites, or do a Google.

I then printed a city map and marked the locations as best I could and printed thumbnails of the originals so I can try and replicate the shots when I find the places. So I will likely head out early Sunday to do the project

If ya wanna also do it then go for it. Pick as many then and now shots as you like, even one! We are only allowed 8 images so I will probably post the ones I like best and then link to the originals. Here's hopin' the weather is good. I think I'll go early when it's quieter and then when I'm done stop off for my final image which is of Ye Old Fighting Cocks pub, supposedly the oldest in England, for a pint

Great idea Dave! I've got some 50+ year old images cross the yard I'm staying right now, so not a big thing to go our and shoot that view again ... but this is not urban ...

And hay, I've been in that pub as well.

condyk wrote in post #5891561
I... when I'm done stop off for my final image which is of Ye Old Fighting Cocks pub, supposedly the oldest in England, for a pint

Hope to see lot of documentation.

Hey man, let's not be too fussy about the ol' urban/rural divide then. Go shoot it and post. And the pub I might eat there too. Strange I never been there before.

awesome idea ..

does this count ?

this picture came up with a search from google ..

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Dunno if it counts or not dude ... did you just shoot that or ya do it 'retrospective style' like havin' the current shot and going to find the old one a**-backwards Whatever, it is still pretty amazing that it is the same place. What a change!

I wish I could do mine sooner than Sunday ...

lol .. yeah, i basically did a search on google and found a picture that kinda looks like a picture i've taken .. yeah .. kinda a$$ backwards lol

Great thread-and I'm pleased I was able to help to 'kick-start' the thread

Here's another one of mine from my home town.

Les, you 'scientific' approach is fascinating. I assume you are carrying the old pictures with you when selecting the right shooting location and lens?

Kind reminder: let's be careful not to post any pictures we do not have rights. Also 'old' pictures (and images found in the internet) can be copyrighted. I would also like the learn from where we have found the old images (like Dave did in the first post).

tsw910 wrote in post #5892835
lol .. yeah, i basically did a search on google and found a picture that kinda looks like a picture i've taken .. yeah .. kinda a$$ backwards lol

Well, I'm sure we don't care where yer ass is pointed man so long as ya enjoyed the craic

Lesmac wrote in post #5892899
Great thread-and I'm pleased I was able to help to 'kick-start' the thread

That is amazing: so much the same and so much different. The building on the right had a very different and weirrd lookin' cladding to it back then. I guess now restored to its original.

Olli wrote in post #5893342
Les, you 'scientific' approach is fascinating. I assume you are carrying the old pictures with you when selecting the right shooting location and lens?

.

I used to carry a picture around, but I find it easier transferring the images to my tomtom (satnav) and comparing the screen image with the LCD of the camera-I find I can sort angles/focal length etc much easier.

And it's great fun

Lesmac wrote in post #5893541
I used to carry a picture around, but I find it easier transferring the images to my tomtom (satnav) and comparing the screen image with the LCD of the camera-I find I can sort angles/focal length etc much easier.

And it's great fun

Aaah, techie style, impressing ...

Olli wrote in post #5893688
Aaah, techie style, impressing ...

Oh yeah, so now I am embarrassed with just my old fashioned contact sheet as reference:o

condyk wrote in post #5893719
Oh yeah, so now I am embarrassed with just my old fashioned contact sheet as reference:o

No reason for that, we old f's know how to trust on cellulose (if it's not raining) ...

A couple I did a while ago

First one shows busy scenes and looks much more attractive. Road is completely reshaped on that junction. Second one I remember those old telephone poles everywhere. Horse c**p on the roads is funny. Again the road has been reshaped and seemingly narrowed. All the Ivy has gone too. Everyone in hats