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,I traveled with you  2,807 miles to a street in Philadelphia where we took an imaginative leap back 52 years, 2 months and 3 days to my 4th birthday with my friend, Jenny. Having been away a long time, I didn’t recognize much, but the determined girl peddling the fire truck is still me.  Ring the bell, she’s on a mission!Cindy

Dear Photograph,
I traveled with you  2,807 miles to a street in Philadelphia where we took an imaginative leap back 52 years, 2 months and 3 days to my 4th birthday with my friend, Jenny. Having been away a long time, I didn’t recognize much, but the determined girl peddling the fire truck is still me.  Ring the bell, she’s on a mission!
Cindy

Dear Photograph, A lot has changed since I last stood in this spot. You unfortunately left us 7 months ago and my life changed forever! This trip hasn’t been the same with one of the gang missing but looking back at this photo and being back in this place has bought a smile and a few tears to my face! Thanks for the fun times Grandad, they’ll be treasured forever and always. Love your granddaughter, Jade (Blondie) x

Dear Photograph, 
A lot has changed since I last stood in this spot. You unfortunately left us 7 months ago and my life changed forever! This trip hasn’t been the same with one of the gang missing but looking back at this photo and being back in this place has bought a smile and a few tears to my face! Thanks for the fun times Grandad, they’ll be treasured forever and always. 
Love your granddaughter, Jade (Blondie) x

Dear Photograph,It was 2005, we were in high school and excited about the world. I had just got my license and I would always drive my best friend James home after school. It was a beautiful spring day around the same time I did this photograph. I remember it like it was yesterday, we were working on making a video with my neighborhood friend Zev. We always used to make ridiculous videos that made absolutely no sense and would laugh at them so hard that we couldn’t breathe. I would always listen to my dad and grandmother and they would tell me not to be in a rush to grow up. Now I finally understand what they were saying, I would give anything to go back and re-live my teenage years again. 3 Years ago when we turned 21, I lost my best friend James after a 4 month long battle to a rare blood disease called HLH. Months after in November, I also lost my friend Zev who was only 17 to an allergic reaction to food he ate. I knew James since kindergarten and Zev since i was in the 4th grade. I have learned that life is very short and unpredictable, you have to embrace the moment and always cherish time spent with your loved ones. This picture brings me back to that exact moment in time and I will never forget James and Zev and the great times I had being a teenager.Vinny

Dear Photograph,
It was 2005, we were in high school and excited about the world. I had just got my license and I would always drive my best friend James home after school. It was a beautiful spring day around the same time I did this photograph. I remember it like it was yesterday, we were working on making a video with my neighborhood friend Zev. We always used to make ridiculous videos that made absolutely no sense and would laugh at them so hard that we couldn’t breathe. I would always listen to my dad and grandmother and they would tell me not to be in a rush to grow up. Now I finally understand what they were saying, I would give anything to go back and re-live my teenage years again. 3 Years ago when we turned 21, I lost my best friend James after a 4 month long battle to a rare blood disease called HLH. Months after in November, I also lost my friend Zev who was only 17 to an allergic reaction to food he ate. I knew James since kindergarten and Zev since i was in the 4th grade. I have learned that life is very short and unpredictable, you have to embrace the moment and always cherish time spent with your loved ones. This picture brings me back to that exact moment in time and I will never forget James and Zev and the great times I had being a teenager.
Vinny

Dear Photograph,I don’t remember very much from my childhood as a baby but surprisingly enough I do remember this or at the very least this park. Papa, my sister and I used to come to this park and I used to love it! There wasn’t the normal rush of tourist filling this park, as it is near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and I used to love to play in the bandstand. Things are different now as i’m no longer that little baby but a middle child and i’m hardly privy to my fathers love all to myself but visiting this place made me fall in love all over again but for different reasons; it is quiet and secluded and brings back so many memories. Afrin

Dear Photograph,
I don’t remember very much from my childhood as a baby but surprisingly enough I do remember this or at the very least this park. Papa, my sister and I used to come to this park and I used to love it! There wasn’t the normal rush of tourist filling this park, as it is near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and I used to love to play in the bandstand. Things are different now as i’m no longer that little baby but a middle child and i’m hardly privy to my fathers love all to myself but visiting this place made me fall in love all over again but for different reasons; it is quiet and secluded and brings back so many memories. 
Afrin

Dear Photograph,She waits for the day they are in the sunset together again.-Racheal

Dear Photograph,
She waits for the day they are in the sunset together again.
-Racheal

Dear Photograph,Tunnel vision, again in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. This time we captured defence man Kevin Bieksa making his way to the ice for practice. This shot reminded us of the beginning of an old western duel, one that Bieksa wins seeing as how he has a stick and we’re unarmed.Vancouver Canucks Submit your #DearCanucks for a chance to win a Dear Photograph Book!More info here! 

Dear Photograph,
Tunnel vision, again in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. This time we captured defence man Kevin Bieksa making his way to the ice for practice. This shot reminded us of the beginning of an old western duel, one that Bieksa wins seeing as how he has a stick and we’re unarmed.
Vancouver Canucks 

Submit your #DearCanucks for a chance to win a Dear Photograph Book!
More info here! 

Dear Photograph,21 years ago, I got the best early birthday present a 4 year old could ask for, a baby brother! As I’ve watched you grow up, there has always been one thing that has never changed, that wonderful, full of life and mischief smile!  Even though we are only 4 years apart, you will always be my perfect little baby brother!With love & adoration,Abby

Dear Photograph,
21 years ago, I got the best early birthday present a 4 year old could ask for, a baby brother! As I’ve watched you grow up, there has always been one thing that has never changed, that wonderful, full of life and mischief smile!  Even though we are only 4 years apart, you will always be my perfect little baby brother!
With love & adoration,
Abby

Dear Photograph, A few things have changed since this picture was made 24 years ago. The swing is no longer up, the clothes line in the back is down, and a few old trees have been replaced with some new ones. I guess time does have a way of changing things. You may have gone on, but I know one thing that will remain the same, you still look down on me just as you are in this picture. My sweet nana, I miss you more than words.Allyson

Dear Photograph,
A few things have changed since this picture was made 24 years ago. The swing is no longer up, the clothes line in the back is down, and a few old trees have been replaced with some new ones. I guess time does have a way of changing things. You may have gone on, but I know one thing that will remain the same, you still look down on me just as you are in this picture. My sweet nana, I miss you more than words.
Allyson

Dear Photograph, I was 6 years old then, branded as a kid who had a missing front tooth during kindergarten. I was teased but I showed no care for I knew it would soon be replaced by something better, permanent. 16 years later, I’m now in medical school, and yes, with a complete set of permanent teeth.Mikhail

Dear Photograph, 
I was 6 years old then, branded as a kid who had a missing front tooth during kindergarten. I was teased but I showed no care for I knew it would soon be replaced by something better, permanent. 16 years later, I’m now in medical school, and yes, with a complete set of permanent teeth.
Mikhail

Dear Photograph, I’m afraid i am going to lose the two most important things much sooner then i would hope, you both have gotten me through so much and i don’t want either to leave.Jack

Dear Photograph,
I’m afraid i am going to lose the two most important things much sooner then i would hope, you both have gotten me through so much and i don’t want either to leave.
Jack

Dear Photograph,We have not been on a family vacation since I was 14 but now at 23 we have traveled to Ireland to finally see where we come from! My mom and dad always wanted to take us back to the homeland and now that my youngest brother is of age, it was time to head across the pond. This is a photo of my dad and his best friend from 2002 at The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. They went on a golf trip to play the best courses in Ireland. While staying at the Moy House in Lehinch, they stopped by one of the biggest attractions in Ireland, Cilffs of Moher. Now eleven years later I am here with my mother, father, two sisters and brother. Today April 29th 2013, would have been my little brother Danny’s 21st birthday, he died when he was just a baby, we came to raise a glass to our Danny Boy back in the homeland. I don’t think he would have had it any other way! Cheers!Molly Geib

Dear Photograph,
We have not been on a family vacation since I was 14 but now at 23 we have traveled to Ireland to finally see where we come from! My mom and dad always wanted to take us back to the homeland and now that my youngest brother is of age, it was time to head across the pond. This is a photo of my dad and his best friend from 2002 at The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. They went on a golf trip to play the best courses in Ireland. While staying at the Moy House in Lehinch, they stopped by one of the biggest attractions in Ireland, Cilffs of Moher. Now eleven years later I am here with my mother, father, two sisters and brother. Today April 29th 2013, would have been my little brother Danny’s 21st birthday, he died when he was just a baby, we came to raise a glass to our Danny Boy back in the homeland. I don’t think he would have had it any other way! Cheers!
Molly Geib

Dear Photograph,Exactly thirty years ago, my mother, a college senior, took a ride on the swings at Thomas Park, in College Station, Texas.  Now I’m a college senior and live just around the corner from that park, and some days I come swing here too. Some things just don’t change.Margaret

Dear Photograph,
Exactly thirty years ago, my mother, a college senior, took a ride on the swings at Thomas Park, in College Station, Texas.  Now I’m a college senior and live just around the corner from that park, and some days I come swing here too. Some things just don’t change.
Margaret

Dear Photograph, Dad complained a lot on that trip. It was hot, it was too much time in the car, it was especially hot in Santa Barbara where the Santa Ana’s were blowing fiercely like standing in front of a hot oven, but Mom told me it was the best trip of their lives. Twenty one years later, I wish I had tried harder to give him more memories, take him more places, show him more things. Because I believe he did truly love that trip, was fascinated by the things he saw, and did have a good time. The night before he died, I dreamt that I was trying to get him to Italy. He would have loved Italy. Well Dad, I am traveling for you now. dwsewbiz

Dear Photograph,
Dad complained a lot on that trip. It was hot, it was too much time in the car, it was especially hot in Santa Barbara where the Santa Ana’s were blowing fiercely like standing in front of a hot oven, but Mom told me it was the best trip of their lives. Twenty one years later, I wish I had tried harder to give him more memories, take him more places, show him more things. Because I believe he did truly love that trip, was fascinated by the things he saw, and did have a good time. The night before he died, I dreamt that I was trying to get him to Italy. He would have loved Italy. Well Dad, I am traveling for you now.
dwsewbiz

Dear Photograph, No matter how hard life may get, insert a quarter and enjoy the ride. Crystal

Dear Photograph,
No matter how hard life may get, insert a quarter and enjoy the ride.
Crystal

Dear Photograph,Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows makes his way to the ice at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The original photograph was taken two years ago, while we shot this during a road trip on April 15th, 2013.-Vancouver Canucks*Submit your #DearCanucks photo to the Canucks by a tweet it or post it on Instagram using the hashtag #DearCanucks.*

Dear Photograph,
Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows makes his way to the ice at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The original photograph was taken two years ago, while we shot this during a road trip on April 15th, 2013.
-Vancouver Canucks

*Submit your #DearCanucks photo to the Canucks by a tweet it or post it on Instagram using the hashtag #DearCanucks.*