New York Now and Then shows before and after photos from New York City, shot by George Bradford Brainerd in the 1870s and 1880s between 1872 and 1887, as well as my pictures which were captured in 2013 and 2014. The Chase building is still there in 2024, so that's why I labeled the thumbnail image as such.

This short film New York Now and Then pays tribute to Brainerd, a forgotten 19th century photographer who died in his early 40s. He was alive to see the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 and took a number of wonderful photographs around the area. He was a pioneer in his field and even created his own "detective" cameras that allowed him to capture pictures of subjects without them knowing that he was holding a camera.

New York offers such a rich history with its massive amount of photos that were shot in the second half of the 19th century. Since so many of the same buildings and structures are still standing in the 21st century, it was possible for me to be able to shoot my own pictures that matched where Brainerd captured his photographs. Not only did I point my camera to the same structures, but I also took special care to ensure that I was trying to capture the same tripod height and angle where Brainerd had his camera. The result were several dozen incredible photographs that show 140 years of difference.

There's a certain magic to then and now photographs. They make us think about our own past. The places we visited. The people we met. They're the closest we can get to time travel. I had an amazing time riding on my bike and taking the subway to capture these photographs, and I hope that you also enjoy the project that was so important to me.

Be sure to also watch the behind the scenes video New York Now and Then: The Documentary.

UPDATE: A slower side-by-side version of this video is available here:    • 140 Years of New York City, Then and Now  .

Behind the scenes film:
   • The Creation of "New York Now and The...  

Original trailer:
   • New York Now and Then: The Trailer  

Shot and Edited by
Jordan Liles

Music in "New York Now and Then"
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Frederic Bernard

Music in "The Creation of" Video
"30 Minute Meditative State"
Chris Collins, indiemusicbox.com

End Credits Music in "The Creation of" Video
"Sidewalks of New York"
Composed by Charles B. Lawlor
Performed by Jordan Liles

Special Thanks, Image Credits and Inspiration:
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, New York Public Library
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Brooklyn Institute
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection
Green-Wood Cemetery
Museum of the City of New York
The New York Historical Society
Long Island Historical Society
Theta Xi

Special Thanks, Image Credits and Inspiration:
Lois Fischer Black
George Bradford Brainerd
Ric Burns
Anthony Caruso
Rachel Danzing
Tracie Davis
Melanie Evans
Lynn Ferrara
Thomas Rushmore French
Adi Goldstein
Henry Goodyear
Ruth Orr Graydon
Henry W.B. Howard
Brian Keane
Moses King
Clara Lamers
Wallace Goold Levison
Stephen Low
Clark S. Marlor
Barbara Head Millstein
Julie C. Moffat
The Moffat Family
Terri O'Hara
Liz Reynolds
Naomi Rosenbum
Carol Rusk
William Schmid
Harriet Senie
Marthe Smith
Marie Cimino Spina
Henry R. Stiles
Jack Termine
Irene Tichenor
Judith Walsh
Herman de Wetter
Elisabeth White
Dan Wilson
Deborah Wythe
Bonnie Yochelson