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,My grandfather’s house was always the spot to see my cousins!Jessica

Dear Photograph,
My grandfather’s house was always the spot to see my cousins!
Jessica

Dear Photograph,This is me and my sister with my Granparents sat outside the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. My Grandad was head-porter at the time, so my grandparents lived on-site. My childhood holidays were spent exploring the grounds and although I have few memories of those times, the ones I do have are very fond. I now work in this fabulous building, and even though it’s a wonderful place to work, it doesn’t quite live up to the magic that the 4-year old me experienced there.Siôn.

Dear Photograph,
This is me and my sister with my Granparents sat outside the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. My Grandad was head-porter at the time, so my grandparents lived on-site. My childhood holidays were spent exploring the grounds and although I have few memories of those times, the ones I do have are very fond. I now work in this fabulous building, and even though it’s a wonderful place to work, it doesn’t quite live up to the magic that the 4-year old me experienced there.
Siôn.

Dear Photograph,My mother once asked us to define the distinction between a house and a home. She was worried that though we had a roof over our heads, we didn’t necessarily consider it home, given that her cancer had forced us to look for ways to escape our reality. When my mother passed away almost four years ago, it was only then that I realized that home isn’t a place or a destination. Home is the person you love. Home is wherever that person may be. Though she doesn’t walk among us anymore, my mother left such a grand imprint that this house is our home and she is our protector.With love,Chloe

Dear Photograph,
My mother once asked us to define the distinction between a house and a home. She was worried that though we had a roof over our heads, we didn’t necessarily consider it home, given that her cancer had forced us to look for ways to escape our reality. When my mother passed away almost four years ago, it was only then that I realized that home isn’t a place or a destination. Home is the person you love. Home is wherever that person may be. Though she doesn’t walk among us anymore, my mother left such a grand imprint that this house is our home and she is our protector.
With love,
Chloe

Dear Photograph,No matter how long we are separated, we will always find our way back to each other. Always.I promise.Connie

Dear Photograph,
No matter how long we are separated, we will always find our way back to each other. Always.
I promise.
Connie

Dear Photograph, On my sixth birthday I got my very own camera as a present. Those early pictures that I took I thought were the worst; off center, blurry, shadows of my finger in most of them. When I found the first picture I ever took of my sisters, I realized it was those unedited, one-take-only-shots that I thought were ruined, were actually the best ones. Birthdays back then were the best moments of my life, and this one particularly turned out to be the beginning of a passion between photography and me. It’s good to be reminded that always trying to capture the ultimate photograph can take away from an otherwise perfectly wonderful imperfect moment.  Alice 

Dear Photograph,
On my sixth birthday I got my very own camera as a present. Those early pictures that I took I thought were the worst; off center, blurry, shadows of my finger in most of them. When I found the first picture I ever took of my sisters, I realized it was those unedited, one-take-only-shots that I thought were ruined, were actually the best ones. Birthdays back then were the best moments of my life, and this one particularly turned out to be the beginning of a passion between photography and me. It’s good to be reminded that always trying to capture the ultimate photograph can take away from an otherwise perfectly wonderful imperfect moment. 
Alice 

Dear Photograph,This is a tribute to my nephew, who often graced my home with his humor, laughter and love for people and life. While he is no longer with us, he lives in my heart, my mind, and most importantly, in heaven. We love you Matt, and we look forward to being reunited with you some day.Uncle Paul

Dear Photograph,
This is a tribute to my nephew, who often graced my home with his humor, laughter and love for people and life. While he is no longer with us, he lives in my heart, my mind, and most importantly, in heaven. We love you Matt, and we look forward to being reunited with you some day.
Uncle Paul

Dear Photograph, Ten years ago my life changed for the better as it was the beginning of many firsts for me. First time becoming a father, our first house, our first chiId, and most importantly first smiles that were shared between my son and I. Even though he’s five feet tall now, when I look at him I can’t help but smile knowing he’ll always be my baby. Karl

Dear Photograph,
Ten years ago my life changed for the better as it was the beginning of many firsts for me. First time becoming a father, our first house, our first chiId, and most importantly first smiles that were shared between my son and I. Even though he’s five feet tall now, when I look at him I can’t help but smile knowing he’ll always be my baby.

Dear Photograph, Every flower needs a helping hand so it can grow and blossom. With all your love, all your care and always-there-for-me support, you have helped me grow and blossom into the person I am today and who I will grow up to become. I’m so thankful for you. I love you. Katie

Dear Photograph,
Every flower needs a helping hand so it can grow and blossom. With all your love, all your care and always-there-for-me support, you have helped me grow and blossom into the person I am today and who I will grow up to become. I’m so thankful for you. I love you.
Katie

Dear Photograph, I am on the verge of my 28th birthday and just completed a job, transporting heavy equipment from Johannesburg, South Africa, traveling thousands of miles through six African countries to South Sudan. The journey came to an end at the Tukul, a house my father built for my mother in Juba, Sudan, thirty-two years ago. My father is standing there with his construction foreman Napagi long ago and now I stand in awe as I hold up this photograph. It was amazing to finally see Africa and live in the memories I had from all the stories my parents had shared with me over the years! Wow!  Ray

Dear Photograph,
I am on the verge of my 28th birthday and just completed a job, transporting heavy equipment from Johannesburg, South Africa, traveling thousands of miles through six African countries to South Sudan. The journey came to an end at the Tukul, a house my father built for my mother in Juba, Sudan, thirty-two years ago. My father is standing there with his construction foreman Napagi long ago and now I stand in awe as I hold up this photograph. It was amazing to finally see Africa and live in the memories I had from all the stories my parents had shared with me over the years! Wow! 
Ray

Dear Photograph, Florianopolis, Brazil twenty-five years ago my older brothers and I loving life in Brazil. Even though we have grown older and taller we’ll always stand side by side. Alexandre

Dear Photograph,
Florianopolis, Brazil twenty-five years ago my older brothers and I loving life in Brazil. Even though we have grown older and taller we’ll always stand side by side.
Alexandre

Dear Photograph, My daughter unknowingly dances amongst my childhood footprints at my grandmothers house in Saint-Pol de Leon. Even though twenty-seven years has passed from my time of play, it’s wonderful that my grandmother, now ninety-three, still keeps a watchful eye on both us… Jean -Marie

Dear Photograph,
My daughter unknowingly dances amongst my childhood footprints at my grandmothers house in Saint-Pol de Leon. Even though twenty-seven years has passed from my time of play, it’s wonderful that my grandmother, now ninety-three, still keeps a watchful eye on both us…
Jean -Marie

Dear Photograph, This was our school choir sixty years ago. The age of innocence…before rock, punk, rap and heavy metal. Michael

Dear Photograph,
This was our school choir sixty years ago. The age of innocence…before rock, punk, rap and heavy metal.
Michael

Dear Photograph, Every time the snow falls, I can still see my nine year old son, Joshua, spending the whole day building the perfect snow fort. Now he’s a freshman in college and I’m trying to perfect the art of adjusting to the empty nest. Amy

Dear Photograph,
Every time the snow falls, I can still see my nine year old son, Joshua, spending the whole day building the perfect snow fort. Now he’s a freshman in college and I’m trying to perfect the art of adjusting to the empty nest.
Amy