This image is called rephotography, pictures that represent two different moments in time. The goal here is to compare and observe the changes in a specific object over the years which are reflected when two photos are placed side by side, just like “Then vs. Now” image pairs.
The technique has been around for over a century and was first used to document the modifications in the landscape during the Industrial Revolution. The early rephotography focused on urban scenery, such as the expansion of cities and the rise of skyscrapers.
During this process, the photographer locates the original picture and finds the exact location where it was taken. This can be challenging, as some urban areas might have changed so much that it becomes difficult to retake the photo from the same point of view.