Have you ever wondered what your favorite places looked like long before you found them? Or even further back, centuries back, to the days when they were still under construction (or perhaps not even dreamed up yet)?

This collection features the historic photographs of George Bradford Brainerd, one of the most influential early photographers and inventor of the handheld camera, taken in New York between 1872 and 1887. To complement these amazing shots, photographer Jordan Liles recreated Brainerd’s images, down the the very angle which they were taken.

The slow fade between the new and old images is really quite stunning – it’s like watching the facade of the modern era melt away into history. This video certainly makes you think about how much our world has changed.

What’s you favorite then-and-now comparison here? We like the cars fading away as the masts of the ships in the harbor appear. It’s a hauntingly beautiful scene.

Photographer and filmmaker Jordan Liles shared this video on YouTube. Check out his channel to see more of his amazing work!

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