Can you place these old photos?

John Bennett of Light and Dreams Photography has made over 1,000 timeshift videos in which he superimposes an old scene onto the same location today.

He’s collected at 1,000 old photos over that time and, while most have ended up in his timeshift films, it has proved more difficult to match others with new images.

“Indeed, some took months, and several trips, to get right. Some have even proved impossible to match with new photos, and I've decided to put them here in this video as they may still be of interest to look at,” explained John, who explains why he has not yet been able to include the images in a timeshift shot.

 

There are different reasons I've not been able to get new photos to match, for many the viewpoint of the original photographers simple doesn't exist now. That is the case with the first photo of the steam train, which was taken from the old footbridge over the railway line by the High Street level crossing. 

These never work very well as the new bridge isn't in the same place as the old one. Others were taken from viewpoints that still exist but are now impossible to get to. 

The second photo of the Pyewipe pub was taken from across the Fossdyke where the railway line is. 

The third photo of the obelisk on High Bridge is taken from inside Stokes’ cafe, and could be reproduced, but at great inconvenience to customers.

The fourth old photo shows construction work on Crown Mill, but where the old photographer was stood is now housing. 

This is the case with many of the old photos in this video. 

The fifth video demonstrates another common problem. We think it shows a coach on the South Common temporary car park used by Lincoln City, but I have not been able to match up the houses in the background. This might be because they no longer exist, or I could be looking in completely the wrong place.

The sixth photo shows Boultham Baths, which aren't there anymore. Sometimes that doesn't matter, as you can use old maps to work out where to get the new photo, but not if it is private or built on. 

Another common problem is in using old paintings or drawings, like the one of St. Peter at Gowts Church. There is so much artistic license in these that they are often impossible to match up with a new photo. 

The eighth photo by John Rohowsky on Brayford Pool must have been taken from on board a boat, or an old mooring that I don't have access to. 

The next photo is in the arboretum. I know where the old stone folly stood, I've even made a video of it from the other side, but this viewpoint won't work for a new photo. 

The next old photo shows Stamp End Lock and the Druid's Arms pub. It took ages to realise it was shot from the railway bridge. So, my only hope is try from on board a moving train! 

The next photo of a 1970s car park by Brayford Wharf East is another where I'd have to stand inside a new building today. 

The next two old photos show Mayfield Bridge in 1958 when the original was finally being removed from alongside the newly built bridge. The first would have to be taken from inside the Waterside Centre, whereas the second appears to be taken from a raised viewpoint that I've been unable to replicate. 

The same applies to the next photo of Pelham Bridge under construction. The photo of the train on the transporter near St. Marks is an example of how I often have to stand in the middle of a busy road to get the new photos. 

I have been successful at this, but not here. I've also failed many times with the photo of Peark's shop at the junction of High Street and Tentercroft Street, even though I'm sure I'm in the right place. 

The next photo apparently shows old maltings on Norman Street, close to where the new bus station is, but I've not been able to work out the viewpoint? 

Then we have a very old photo of men outside St. Mark's railway station, and it is another where the photographer would be standing inside a building today. 

The following is a photo looking down Danesgate, but I think that today you'd have to stand in a private garden to recreate it? Then we have an old photo taken from an unknown courtyard in the Cathedral area. 

The next old photo shows floods by the Brayford, and I think must have been taken from the old footbridge that no longer exists. I've tried to recreate it from Wigford Way, but it won't even get close to working. Then we have another photo taken from the old railway footbridge, followed by one of the London Tea Warehouse on Magpie Square, which requires me to stand in the middle of Broadgate to recreate it. 

Finally, there is a great photo of an old industrial scene, which may or may not be Beevor Street, I simply don't know. I will keep trying to work out how to use these in time shifts, I've not given up entirely on all of them, just yet....