Dungeon
Canadian photographer Jan-Micheal Stasiuk captures a grungy but bright depiction of living with friends.
Photography Jan-Micheal Stasiuk

Dungeon is a “half documentary, half editorial” project following 3 close friends in an apartment nicknamed “Dungeon”. It came about last year after months of not shooting due to Covid, presenting a stark image of their life in this space.



“The shoot is half-documentary, half-editorial, and centres around 3 real life friends’ actual apartment at the time, nicknamed Dungeon.”


“I used this as an opportunity to experiment with some more tactile techniques as well, the images are all printed on regular paper, cut and taped by myself and Philly, then re-scanned without editing.”





About Jan-Micheal
JM Stasiuk is a Canadian photographer based in East London, and is the co-founder of Comfort Zone, “A place for conversations.”
To see more of JM’s work, follow him on Instagram or check out Comfort Zone.
Credits
Art director: Phillippa Kaye
Concept: JM Stasiuk and Philly
Models: Tom Kille, Max King, Sherrif Horne
Special thanks: Sealam Archive and Vini Chenoweth-Bell
READ NEXT
“In The Shadow We Bloom" explores themes of isolation and anonymity within South Korea's urban landscapes. Capturing people, animals, and objects, the series juxtaposes curated social media personas with the impersonal nature of city life. Through this lens, photographer Aram Tanis examines the tension between self-representation and the reality of contemporary urban existence.
Augmented Unreality is a photographic project exploring beauty in the age of artificial intelligence. It questions how technology shapes our aesthetic ideals, often distorting beauty into a superficial and homogenous concept. By blending AI-generated images with real models, photographer Norberto Pezzotta challenges the perception of beauty, advocating for inclusivity, authenticity, and the preservation of human diversity in a digital era.
Guided by childhood memories, family stories and literature, Henry Schulz embarks on a journey to reconnect with the past. With his camera, he searches for places that mirror his recollections of Germany—forgotten spaces between city and countryside where history lingers. His photographs capture the cycle of memory and change, revealing a world where the past is never truly lost, only waiting to be rediscovered.
Benjamin Sauer’s project Amtszeichen (Official Signs) explores the world of German bureaucracy—its rigid structures, endless corridors and paper-filled offices. Through his images, he captures both the necessity and absurdity of administration, revealing the people behind the system and the clichés that define it: flickering lights, official stamps and labyrinthine rules.
Joe Hart’s photography series immerses us in the world of the Shetland Pony Grand National, where young riders chase dreams with determination and grit. More than a competition, it’s a tradition built on passion, community, and ambition—showcasing the dedication of these athletes and the charitable spirit that drives the event forward.
Photographer Valentina Luraghi explores the overlooked struggles of women battling this condition, often dismissed by medical professionals. Through intimate portraits, the series captures the exhaustion, anxiety, and resilience of those affected. Different women, united by their fragility and strength, reveal the silent weight of anemia and the fight to be heard.
What does it mean to be close to someone? In Between by Nora Obergeschwandner is a poignant exploration of intimacy, attachment and the invisible forces that shape our relationships. Through evocative analog portraits and raw personal narratives, this project unravels the delicate balance between longing and fear, inviting viewers to reflect on their own emotional landscapes and the spaces where connection truly unfolds.
Flowing through ancient woodlands and temperate rainforests, the River Dart is both a place of beauty and a fragile ecosystem under threat. Photographer Emma Stoner began documenting the river in 2022 as part of a commission. Since then, the project has evolved into a personal exploration of the Dart’s landscapes and communities, highlighting its natural beauty while raising awareness of the environmental challenges it faces.
Dear Father redefines the father-son dynamic through role reversal, exploring acceptance and identity. In this intimate project, Danilo Zocatelli paints his father’s face, shifting their long-established roles. By revisiting childhood spaces and challenging perceptions, the work becomes both a personal reconciliation and a powerful statement on transformation, memory, and understanding.
Through self-portraiture, photographer Foteini Zaglåra explores identity, memory, and transformation, blurring the line between reality and fiction. Combining performance, symbolism, and narrative storytelling, her work examines beauty standards, grief, and mythology. She offers a deeply introspective reflection on the self in an era shaped by digital personas and societal expectations.
Over two years, photographer Juliet Klottrup immersed herself in the evolving grassroots skateboarding communities of Northern England, documenting spaces that empower female, marginalised, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Through her lens, she captures how these collectives redefine skateboarding as a force for inclusivity, turning it into a platform for self-expression, freedom, and resilience while reshaping the sport’s cultural landscape.
Marco Vernaschi returns to ZERO.NINE with The Land of Never After, a striking exploration of Argentina’s cyclical struggles between past and present. Through Gaucho’s enduring spirit, Vernaschi challenges narratives of division and decline, offering a powerful meditation on identity, resistance, and the possibility of transformation in an era of ideological turmoil.
In Kiss of Death, photographer Berber Theunissen offers an achingly intimate portrayal of her family’s battle with her partner’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Through evocative medium-format imagery, she captures the raw emotions of grief, fear, and resilience, revealing the fragility of life and the enduring strength of love amidst overwhelming uncertainty.
Photographer Kip Harris captures the vibrant interplay of architecture and colour in Antigua, Guatemala—a city shaped by its colonial heritage and strict preservation rules. These rules mandate a specific palette for building exteriors, ensuring harmony with the city's historic character. Through this lens, Harris explores how these limitations influence both the carefully composed elegance of upscale structures and the creative, ad hoc expressions often found in poorer neighbourhoods.
‘The Gift’ explores the profound meanings hidden within a simple gesture—giving. Brought to life by Lith Li and Miss Patricia, the striking visuals embody themes of liberation, self-expression and societal expectations. It invites us to question: What truly matters in a gift? The photo series was beautifully captured by photographer Massimiliano Emme, adding depth to its powerful narrative.
Wayne Chin’s journey from isolation to creative expression highlights the transformative power of photography. Written by Paul Ryan, CEO of MYWORLD Creative Projects, this article explores the MYLONDON initiative, a remarkable project empowering individuals affected by homelessness to share their stories through the lens and reconnect with their communities.
In this insightful interview, Juan Brenner delves into his ongoing photographic exploration of San Simón, a complex figure embodying Guatemala's rich syncretic traditions. Brenner reflects on themes of identity, spirituality, and cultural resilience, sharing the challenges and revelations behind his deeply personal and visually arresting body of work.
Shadow Cast is the latest handmade, limited edition book by lens-based artist Pacifico Silano. For this series, Silano reworked vintage gay porn into evocative, melancholic typologies, transforming shadows into a visceral exploration of desire, marginality, and longing. Printed entirely on risograph, this XXL photobook is a tactile and experimental masterpiece, published by Loose Joints.
The Human Gaze challenges the entrenched patriarchal lens that objectifies the female form, redefining the act of looking as a reciprocal exchange between subjects. Through diverse photographic representations, this series by photographer Julia SH asserts the autonomy and humanity of naked bodies, dismantling the dominance of a gaze steeped in control to present the female form as whole, empowered, and self-defined.
With his series Ground Clearance, photographer Owen Harvey documents the evolution of the lowrider subculture, capturing its rich history, artistic expression, and global influence. His intimate portraits allow us a glimpse into the life of modern lowriders – a subculture that started back in the 1940s rooted in Mexican-American communities.
Photographer Chen Chuanduan crafted this fictional documentary, blending elements of fiction and the supernatural. Through AI-generated images and paranormal stories, he conveys both personal and collective trauma. Chen combines text-to-image AI creations with real-world images and his own photography, seamlessly merging reality with imagination.
At East London’s She Lost Control, Aura photography offers a glimpse beyond the visible. Based on Kirlian-inspired photographic techniques, these sessions capture your energy as a radiant Polaroid image—an exquisite reminder that we are more than our digital selves. ZERO.NINE founders Christian Trippe and JC Verona tried this unique experience.
After captivating audiences with Good Dog and The Animal Kingdom, celebrated studio photographer Randal Ford returns with a charming new volume — Farm Life. In his latest book, Ford takes us beyond the barn and into the very heart of America’s vibrant farm animals. This collection of studio portraits celebrates the spirit of these pastoral creatures and invites the viewer on a heartfelt journey of expression, play, and contemplation.
‘Dreamland: Side of Sea’ is a captivating street photography series by Taras Bychko, showcasing the tranquil charm of English coastal towns in the quiet months before summer, from February to May 2023. Bychko's lens captures serene, almost dreamlike moments in various places like Brighton and Margate, inviting viewers to savour the peaceful solitude before the tourist rush. This reflective series beautifully contrasts everyday life with the timeless allure of the coast.
Asheville-based artist J. A. Young combines their own personal photographs with public-domain archival imagery to explore their reaction to inward experiences. Inspired by a pivotal moment in 2020, the work reflects on existential questions and global crises. Through print manipulation and rephotography, the project creates a fluid, ever-evolving visual narrative that mirrors the artist's shifting perceptions and emotions.
Photographer Ada Marino’s powerful series New Moons explores feminine resilience and rebirth against oppressive societal structures. Her work challenges patriarchal norms and advocates for a new, inclusive identity for women, addressing contemporary struggles with a vision of empowerment and transformation.
Photographer Mike Spears created the zine Souvenirs, a series of irreverent photographic metaphors, romanticising desire, flesh, and comedy. His images reveal the unexpected beauty and humour woven into the fabric of life, inviting you to see the world through a lens that celebrates the quirky and profound.
Photographer Alberto Tandoi walked 400 km across London capturing fleeting moments with strangers, portraying the city as what would be his ideal city. Through hundreds of portraits, he reveals the beauty of self-expression and the unique stories of unconventional individuals.
Pavel Golovkin’s project "Waste" stands out as a commentary on society's relationship with refuse. Through his lens, Golovkin transforms trash from an overlooked byproduct of human activity into a nomadic entity with its own narrative, continually moving and evolving within urban landscapes.
Our very own JC Verona, photographer and co-founder of ZERO.NINE travelled to his hometown Béjar in Spain to create a series about the unique tradition of local men covering their bodies in moss. Dating back to medieval times, the Moss-Men symbolise a profound connection with nature and highlight the importance of preserving local traditions. We spoke to him in an exclusive interview to find out more about the project that has been on his mind for years.