Some of the Web's best sites consist of variations on one simple idea. In the case of Dear Photograph, that idea is taking a snapshot — usually one featuring one or more people and dating from the film-photography era — and holding it up against the original setting so that past and present blend into a new work of art. The images contributed by the site's readers are wonderfully evocative. Looking at the family photos of strangers was never so transfixing.

-TIME Magazine

Dear Photograph, We took this picture during the happiest week of my life: prom, graduation and birthdays. I never knew that two years later I’d look back on this as the last big life achievement you’d live to see. I promised you I’d find you in the light and the laughter, and I found you again in this picture. Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I miss you every day.

Dear Photograph,
We took this picture during the happiest week of my life: prom, graduation and birthdays. I never knew that two years later I’d look back on this as the last big life achievement you’d live to see. I promised you I’d find you in the light and the laughter, and I found you again in this picture. Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I miss you every day.

Dear Photograph, Although you are standing on your toes, you never had to  because you were 6’4”.  You would always tower over me.  It made no difference, my love for you was endless.  We miss you Geoff.  You lived twenty years and that just wasn’t enough. Love Mom, Dad and Laura.

Dear Photograph, 
Although you are standing on your toes, you never had to  because you were 6’4”.  You would always tower over me.  It made no difference, my love for you was endless.  We miss you Geoff.  You lived twenty years and that just wasn’t enough. 
Love Mom, Dad and Laura.

Dear Photograph, This is my dog Dale and I around Christmas time when I was in elementary school. While I only go to college/live 10 minutes away from my parents home, I miss him more than he might realize. Every time I go to their house I make sure to take pictures with him because he’s starting to get pretty old, and although he’s shown no signs of extreme medical problems, you never know when a special life will leave. My first true pet, and he’ll be remembered as the best pet/dog/friend ever. Dakota

Dear Photograph,
This is my dog Dale and I around Christmas time when I was in elementary school. While I only go to college/live 10 minutes away from my parents home, I miss him more than he might realize. Every time I go to their house I make sure to take pictures with him because he’s starting to get pretty old, and although he’s shown no signs of extreme medical problems, you never know when a special life will leave. My first true pet, and he’ll be remembered as the best pet/dog/friend ever.
Dakota

Dear Photograph, this big old lady, built in the 50s, was one of the famous ‘congoboats’ and the last existing passenger/cargo combo-ship. The ‘Georg Büchner’ anchored next to my door nearly ten years ago and was used as a hotel. She was part of our city skyline and of our hearts. After they decided to sell her for scrap in May 2013, she sunk during the towage under suspicious circumstances in the Baltic Sea. May be it’s the better end for such a historical ship, but this dock is really empty now. Ahoy from Rostock, Germany.

Dear Photograph,
this big old lady, built in the 50s, was one of the famous ‘congoboats’ and the last existing passenger/cargo combo-ship. The ‘Georg Büchner’ anchored next to my door nearly ten years ago and was used as a hotel. She was part of our city skyline and of our hearts. After they decided to sell her for scrap in May 2013, she sunk during the towage under suspicious circumstances in the Baltic Sea. May be it’s the better end for such a historical ship, but this dock is really empty now.
Ahoy from Rostock, Germany.

Dear Photograph,My old Bernese mountain dog died a few years ago, but with the young one, I always take the walk we used to do together and it’s like he was there waiting for us.A friendly hello from Normandy, France

Dear Photograph,
My old Bernese mountain dog died a few years ago, but with the young one, I always take the walk we used to do together and it’s like he was there waiting for us.
A friendly hello from Normandy, France