Skip to main content

Re.photos helps meld the past and the present by creating then-and-now pictures

re.photos
Image used with permission by copyright holder
You’ve probably seen them all over the web — those then-and-now pictures with a slider that lets you swap the view between the two. Now, a retired computer engineering professor is working to make those before-and-after comparisons easier to create. The project is based on “rephotography” and the first manifestation of the idea is a website called re.photos that will automatically align your than and your now to match up perfectly.

Rephotography is the idea of taking the same exact picture years. and even decades. apart to illustrate the changes over time. Oliver Vornberger, a now-retired professor at the University of Osnabrück in Germany, started the project two years ago and now works with computer science students to continue to add new ideas. The website that aligns then-and-now photos is the first step, and the group is also working on an iOS app that will direct users where to shoot from to get the same angle as the earlier picture.

Recommended Videos

Re.photo currently works by uploading two different images, a before and after, then setting four different markers that tell the computer which parts of the photos should match up. The computer then aligns the photos based on those points, delivering before and afters that line up despite the changes over the years. The final product is two aligned photos with that slider animation, created through Juxtapose, that allows you to view each photo separately or half of each shot at the same time.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Along with the upcoming app, another student is working on an algorithm to update the website so those four reference points aren’t required and the software can align automatically without that user input.

The software, as it stands, works with both buildings and people — though we also tried it as a before and after for a DIY project. Along with aligning the photos, users can add date and time information and share the images. Users can also browse other before and afters, including aerial views and nature, along with buildings and people. Viewers can also comment and rate the rephotography. The platform doesn’t have the option to download at this time.

Re.photos is free to use after signing up for the platform with a username, email, and password. The new platform already has more than 300 users and over 800 then-and-now compilations to browse through for inspiration or to get a general idea of how the platform works.

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
Best drone deals: Get a cheap drone for $47 and more
The DJI Mini 3 Pro in flight with spring flowers in the background.

There is a lot to love about drones, especially if you're somebody who loves nature and photography, as it gives you a really interesting perspective on the world that wouldn't usually be accessible. That said, owning a drone is often seen as a really expensive hobby, with expensive brands like DJI easily costing thousands of dollars. Luckily, there are a lot of great budget-oriented options, including quality DJI alternatives, and a lot of them have great deals on them, bringing them down to as low as $46. We've collected a few of our favorites below — all of which make great gifts for the holidays for the person in your life who appreciates the revolutionary bird's-eye view they offer.

Of course, if you prefer a more traditional experience, you could always check out these GoPro deals and camera deals instead.
Radclo Mini Drone -- $46 $230 80% off

Read more
Astronaut’s photo shows Earth as you’ve never seen it before
Earth as seen from the space station.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit already has a long-held reputation for creating stunning space photography, and his latest effort will only bolster it.

Shared on social media on Thursday, the image (top) shows Earth as a blaze of streaking light, an effect created by using long and multiple exposures to capture cities at night across several continents.

Read more
This GoPro camera is $100 off at Walmart today
The GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition set up on a small tripod on the beach.

When it comes to high-octane sports and other speedy scenarios, our phone cameras can only do so much to capture the action. That’s why there’s such a big market for action cameras, and one of the O.G. camera companies in this realm is GoPro. For years, GoPro has been delivering HD and 4K cameras that are both durable and user-friendly, which is why we’re glad to shine a light on this fantastic offer we found while vetting Walmart deals:

When you purchase the GoPro Hero 12 at Walmart, you’ll pay $300. At full price, this model sells for $400.

Read more