Real Surreal Photography by Ben Zank

When Words Fail // Untitled 355, 2013. This shot took a month of brainstorming to decide what material to use. Eventually Zank decided to put down yellow tape to imitate road lines. “I was actually directing traffic when my head was under the tape which was kind of scary, but I didn’t get run over,” says Zank.

When Words Fail // Untitled 294, 2013.

When Words Fail // Decision, 2013. Said to be his most difficult shot, Zank shovelled snow for an hour to create this fantastic contrast.

When Words Fail // Frozen Lake, 2013. This shot was taken under a sheet of ice and snow, showing just how far this young photographer will go for an extraordinary shot.

Halo Project. The prop used in this shot was part of a stain glass chair that was broken.

365 Days Project // Containment Theory 146/365.

Suits Project. “I like the idea of making pictures like this rather than always forcing myself to do something “shocking.” Nonetheless, my suit now smells like lake and fish,” says Zank.

Ben Zank is not your average 22 year-old photographer. This New York youngster will do anything for the perfect shot. And we mean anything! Zank captures the most amazing series of conceptual photographs with himself as the subject, creating strange, melancholic and sometimes surreal images that capture the viewer’s imagination. The basic themes of Zank’s creations often involve diverse power struggles and the exploration of his own emotional experiences. His photographs are a way for him to speak his opinions and bring his emotions into the light “when words fail”.

“I do whatever it takes to get the shot. I’ve been submerged in cold water, dangled between rocky crevasses and ominous wells, and trespassed countless times in order to find a good location,” says Zank. This guy is for real and we have the photos to prove he’s not exaggerating one bit!