Daily News - now & then

The Daily News : Now & Then by Marc A.Hermann – are photo composites from the archives of the New York’s picture newspaper.

This project was originally inspired by the early visual sleuthing of William Frassanito who sought out locations of photographs taken on the Gettysburg battlefield. Since then, the work of people like Sergey Larenkov (my post on Sergey) who blend historic pictures of war-torn Europe with modern-day views of the same locations has brought the concept of 'then-and-now' into the digital age.
Marc Hermann who was born and raised in Brooklyn is a professional photographer and official historian of the New York Press Photographers Association. Having covered breaking news since 1997, he has shot various locations throughout the city where both the momentous and routine had occurred. Using the Daily News' massive photo archive he combined the modern scenes with the vintage images that had been made at those sites. 
Marc recalls that a common reaction of passers-by when they were shown the original pictures of what had once transpired at the places where they now walked was "I had no idea...". Most importantly, to him, is that work of his predecessors' work is getting another look. It is his way of reminding people that they are part of the same continuum of time, and by seeing these sites in a familiar, modern way, that the 'then' of history is also a 'now'.
Sourcing his pictures from newspaper files means that there are many dramatic shots of fires, crashes and other 'news worthy' articles, like - 

497 Dean St, Brooklyn on 19th March 1942

 Edna Egbert had not heard from her son since his enlistment, she became distraught and climbed onto her ledge. Police officers Ed Murphy & George Munday distracted her so she could be pushed into a safety net. (Original photographer Charles Payne).

Corner of Hicks & Summit Sts, Brooklyn on 11th January 1951

The bells in the steeple rang out even as the flames consumed the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary one chilly afternoon. The 90 year old landmark was practically destroyed by the blaze, it was rebuilt and is still standing (Original photographer Paul Bernius).

Classon Ave & Pacific St, Brooklyn on 28th July 1957

 A recently released inmate of the Brooklyn House of Detention stole a car with two friends, but they came to a crashing stop against a light pole at the intersection. The auto body shop in the background is still in business but relocated across the road (Original photographer Paul Bernius).

137 Wooster St, Manhattan on 16th February 1958 

 A massive fire in the Elkins Paper & Twine Co claimed the lives of 2 firefighters and 4 members of the New York Fire Patrol. The building was a total loss and was demolished (Original photographer Charles Payne).

923 44th St, Brooklyn on 1st July, 1928

Frankie Yale (the Al Capone of Brookyn) a gangster was shot by his rivals as he drove a Lincoln coupe through the streets of Borough Park (believed to be the first New York mob hit using Thompson sub-machine guns). He lost control of the car and smashed into the front of the house (the house and the tree are still standing) (Original photographer unknown).

7th Ave & Sterling Pl, Brooklyn on 17th December 1960

The wreckage of United Airlines Flight 826 fills the intersection in Park Slope. 134 people were killed after the jet collided with a smaller TWA plane over Staten Island, killing everyone on board both planes and on the ground. Many of the buildings including the Pillar of Fire Church were destroyed beyond repair (Original photographer Leonard Detrick).

This project, then, is meant as a tribute to the New Yorkers—on both sides of the camera's lens—who have gone before, and as a window into the past for those who appreciate it.