People, animals, and even inanimate objects change over time. But if you see them regularly, spotting the differences isn’t all that easy. Day in and day out, even over many years, they look much the same to you. But by comparing photos, the things our eyes perceive as subtle suddenly become significant.
For instance, have you ever had a friend you hadn’t seen in 15 years? Then, you go to visit, and you can’t believe just how different they look. Or perhaps you go back to a lake you fished at while a child but now as an adult, there are big changes. The landscape isn’t all that familiar due to mature trees and a shifting shoreline.
These 66 photos are perfect examples of just how much people, animals, and things transform over the years. We hope you enjoy.
As you can see, this dog’s unique markings around its eyes made it a standout. Like most pet owners, this person took photos throughout the years. Now, 10 years later, you can see just how much the large, dark spots have faded.
2. Same subject matters…different look
These two photos contain the same father, daughter, dog, and cat. The one on the top was taken in 2008 and the one on the bottom in 2018. The only thing that hasn’t changed that much is the cat but everything else looks quite different.
While visiting Ninh Binh Vietnam in 2005, a man allowed a four-year-old boy to sit on his water buffalo. When the family returned to the same place this year, they came across the same man who still had the same water buffalo. In the first photo, the man looks so large compared to the small child but now, it’s reversed.
What’s so remarkable about this photo is the woman has the same facial expression and hand configuration in both photos. But over the years as a married couple, this now grandma and grandpa look like two different people.
Some people probably remember seeing a small tree growing near this railing. But today, the once sapling has completely grown around it. Incredibly, the tree is still alive.
When playing the piano for so long, this individual didn’t pay much attention to the keys. But as time passed, it became obvious which notes the person preferred playing. These aren’t dirty, just completely worn down.
In some instances, the power of time consists of only 11 days. This green tree transformed into one with beautiful orange leaves in less than two weeks.
Twenty years ago, while still young, this boy had the honor of being the Best Man at his dad’s wedding. Recently, they swapped places. This time, the father was the Best Man at his son’s wedding.
Although these two photos were only taken five months apart, the difference is beyond amazing. When her doctor put her on the right acne medication, her skin cleared up beautifully. At her graduation, she looked radiant.
When someone’s working, especially doing something like cutting hair, they’re not focused on the floor. But then, an individual pointed it out, which clearly showed just how much walking around the chair this barber did over the years.
In this photo, not only is there a stark difference between the boy who’s now a man but also his best friend. With his pup 15 years old, this guy says both of them are still going strong. They have an unbreakable bond.
12. The Tin Man, Dorothy, and the Cowardly Lion
On Halloween 21 years ago, this brother and his two sisters dressed up as three characters from the Wizard of Oz. They decided to do it again but this time as adults. The one thing that didn’t change? Their sense of fun.
We don’t know about you, but we had no idea that snails could get so big. Whatever diet this woman has her pet on is certainly doing its job. This fellow went from having a 1.6-inch shell to one that’s 6.7 inches in less than a year.
There’s a good chance that as this spoon was passed down through four generations no one gave much thought to its appearance. But in looking at the photo, you can see it’s been used to mix a lot of food over the years.
Those little turtles that people buy at pet stores are so cute. Sure, this guy knew his pet was growing, it wasn’t until he compared a photo of when his turtle turned 17 that he realized just how much. That thing’s massive and still cute.
16. Rebuilding from the WWII era
This young man had his photo taken at the Arno River in Florence, Italy in 2014, the same spot where his grandfather sat in 1944. Although the buildings still have the same shapes, you can see they’ve been rebuilt and new ones added.
17. If only it could talk
There’s no way to tell who this shoe once belonged to or how long its been sitting deep within the forest, but it’s definitely changed. The person who took this photo stumbled upon it while taking a walk.
18. Sunshine versus shade
This is one of those things that people see every day yet they don’t really notice anything out of the ordinary. But then when looking at a photo, it becomes evident that only half of the fence gets sunshine while the other half stays in the shade.
At first glance, this cat’s face is so perfect she looks more like a stuffed animal than a live animal. But she’s real. Even as a kitten, this was her favorite place. Now as an adult, she still prefers to snuggle in tight for a nap.
20. Brothers from different eras
Initially, that’s what you might think. But in reality, the one on the left is now the father of the one on the right. With both of them wearing the same shirt, which was stored for 21 years, they could easily pass for brothers…just from different times.
So, what happens to sandbags left sitting for more than 40 years? As this photo shows, they turn into solid rock. With heat and rain, that makes sense yet it’s not something most people would’ve thought about.
Have you ever gone back to visit a place only to find it had changed so much you didn’t even recognize it? Well, that’s the case here. In just three years, this beautiful lake turned into a field of flowers and weeds.
23. 40 years in the making
Forty years after the first photo, these three brothers decided to recreate it. But if they hadn’t sat in the same position, it would be super hard to tell which one matched the earlier image.
24. Is that the same cat?
The only two things that look the same between these two photos taken three years apart are the white paws and the stunning blue eyes. Other than that, they don’t even look like the same kitty. Regardless, they’re both gorgeous.
This precious pup was super tiny in the first photo. But now 10 years later, he’s almost bigger than his owner. Besides the beard and gray face, their smiles prove they still have an incredible friendship.
It’s hard to tell that these photos are of the same person. One from her high school graduation and the other after finishing college. Other than the nose, there are practically no similarities.
This photo is pretty cool. In the one on the left, a father holds his newborn son. In the one on the right, the same father holds his grandson. As expected, you can see differences in this man between the two photos taken 28 years apart. But the one constant…the way he loving looks at the baby.
This toy car was probably a favorite thing to play with. Why? Because 30 years later, they still have it. Although the car fared pretty well, the “boys” no longer fit. It’s awesome they’ve remained close.
For many young boys, their first pocketknife becomes their most cherished possession. Although the blade has all but disintegrated and the etched message is long gone, this guy still carries the same knife forty years after getting it.
30. Time for a bigger chair
Pitbull puppies are downright adorable. But as this photo comparison shows, this one didn’t stay small for very long. The time difference between the two images is only 15 months. That’s amazing.
Usually, brothers argue and fight. But not these two. Even after 23 years, the older brother is always there for his kid brother. It’s awesome they have such a solid friendship.
With a significant underbite, this guy had to endure two corrective jaw surgeries. But once he healed, he doesn’t even look like the same person. Now, he can smile with confidence.
33. How much longer will it last?
That’s the big question. At Angel’s Landing in the Zion National Park, people hold onto this chain to make their way up and down the trail. But by the looks of it, that thing may not hold out much longer.
34. Thank goodness for technology
In 1998, a Motorola flip phone was on everyone’s wish list. Today, it’s all about smartphones. Fortunately, technology continues to evolve. Who knows what cell phones will look like in another 20 years?
That’s right, this teddy bear was first held 40 years ago and now, by a grandchild. We don’t know if it’s the quality of materials and craftsmanship used eons ago or if this stuffed animal was just well taken care of. Either way, it looks really good.
For a long time, people in Mumbai, India simply dumped their trash on the beach of the Mithi River. But a little over a year ago, a group of teenagers decided to clean it up. Kudos to them for their excellent work.
We don’t know if people are touching the tongue and nose of this lion head on a door at the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee for good luck or just because those parts fascinate them. Regardless, it’s caused the metal coating to erode.
38. One doesn’t look the same
While the girl in both photos taken 28 years apart looks pretty much the same, her friend is another story. Everything about him appears to be different…and better. Since meeting in second grade, they’ve remained close friends.
39. Still laughing after 13 years
From the first photo, it’s easy to see that this couple loves to have a good time. Even after being together for 13 years, they still enjoy each other’s company and doing silly things. They’re an inspiration.
Did you know that some animals smile? They do and here’s proof. From a baby to five years later, this reptile still gives the best smiles ever. It’s probably because its owner takes such good care of him.
The individual who posted this photo has been going to the same place to play ping pong for the past 20-plus years. While it’s kind of cool to see just how much customers enjoy this game, it might be time to invest in some new tables.
Every year, this guy takes a Circle of Life reenactment photo of when he adopted this sweet cat. But next year, it might be the kitty that’s holding his owner up. He’s become such a big boy.
This photo of great-great grandparents and this tiny baby represent five generations of family. There might be a 93-year age difference but they have incredible love for this infant and all the family in between.
The thing we love about this photo comparison is the fact that this man and woman obviously have a genuine love for one another. As high school sweethearts that ended up getting married, they make an awesome couple.
No, that’s not a closeup of someone’s braided hair although it kind of looks like it. Instead, it’s a staircase on a stone wall carved out naturally by flowing water. That’s amazing.
It’s photos like this one that make parents appreciate their kids. This dad bragged that his daughter has been awesome her entire life. It’s fantastic that he’s such a hands-on father.
47. Following in grandpa’s steps
Taken 55 years apart, these photos are of a grandpa who once worked as a neonatology fellow and his grandson who’s now a heart surgeon. Caring for others and medicine obviously runs in the family.
48. His smile never changed
From the time this man served in the Navy to his age of 100 today, his smile hasn’t changed. He even has the same sparkle in his eyes. We’re guessing this guy has a real zest for life.
49. Talk about the power of time
This image is beyond amazing. It shows the very spot where a monk prayed daily. Over the years, his footprints became a part of the floor’s design. Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could meet to him today?
50. They’ve come a long way
Like a lot of companies, it took Apple some time to really get going. Initially, the founders of this company worked out of a residential garage. But now, its headquarters looks more like something you’d find in space.
51. Can’t believe it lasted that long
If there’s one thing that wears out relatively fast, it’s towels. Especially beach towels considering they’re subjected to the sun, sand, and saltwater. This one is 24 years old. Yes, the color faded but it’s impressive that you can still see the graphics.
52. That’s incredibly awesome
These photos are of the same tortuous. His name is Jonathan and he was born in 1832. The black and white image was taken of him in 1902 and the colored one recently. That means this guy is 187 years old.
Okay, so they had to improvise on the birthday hats but other than that, these are all the same cousins striking the same poses 27 years later. They still look like one, big, happy family.
You have to laugh at this. According to the Husky’s owner, she destroys all her stuffed animals except for this one. As you can see, from the time she was a puppy to now, she still considers it her favorite.
In looking at this photo, you can tell that a lot of blind people have visited Helen Keller’s burial site to read the words written on her tomb. Keller truly was a miracle worker, inspiring both blind and deaf individuals to pursue their dreams.
56. 22 years and counting
These two have shared a wonderful friendship for the past 22 years. As both a kitten and now an adult cat, this woman’s furry friend still feels completely safe in her arms.
57. Same place…different time
It’s always cool when people take photos of themselves doing the same thing and at the same place as one of their parents. In this case, a man captured an almost identical photo of his dad.
58. The difference in two years
Sometimes, photos that show the power of time are because people worked hard to make changes or improvements. In two years, this homeowner completely transformed their backyard space.
For five years, an individual and their pup played with these same two balls. While there might be a little bit of life left in one of them, the other needs to be replaced.
60. Good reading material
Every time this woman pulled out this book to read, her cat had to be right there beside her. Here she is 10 years ago and then again recently…same book…same cat.
For anyone who doesn’t think the sun causes the skin to age, all they need to do is look at this photo. This man is a truck driver. The aged half of his face was the side hit by sunlight more than the other half.
62. My, how things have changed
In both of these photos is a $100 bill. But the one is from 155 years earlier. The differences between the two are staggering.
63. A century and a half apart
The bright red tomato is what you’ll find in grocery stores today. The larger and darker one was grown from seeds dating back 150 years. We don’t know if they taste the same but there’s definitely a distinction in appearance.
People are always trying new things. In Sweden, one individual has used the same candle holder for many years. This is the result.
This puppy went from being tiny to a massive beast. But here’s the deal…she’s only one. That means there’s a good chance she hasn’t stopped growing yet.
In case you didn’t know, trees are pretty powerful. So, if something gets in their way while growing, they simply make the object part of their growth process just like this one did with a grave’s headstone.
