Ben Ackman is an editorial photographer from Jersey City, New Jersey, studying economics and photography at American University. His work has appeared extensively in the Jersey City Times, his hometown publication, as well as several student publications. He is interested in photographing the maintenance of communities, traditions and institutions against systemic pressures.
Ben’s interest in photography descended from a hobby in 3D rendering software. His favorite things to photograph are clouds, water and people on boats. He enjoys reading and writing and is currently watching The Sopranos.
The Potomac River is a nexus of economic activity. In warmer months, it hosts boating and fishing and is lined with miles of riverfront parkland. It is a habitat to thousands of species, including the oysters harvested by rivermen in Maryland. Since the Potomac Interceptor collapse in January released millions of gallons of sewage into the river, a local economic ecosystem is under threat. In this project, I hope to document some of those affected by the spill and portray the consequences of the infrastructure failure.
A team of researchers from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health took water and soil samples from the Potomac River on Feb. 12 near Glen Echo, Md. In January, a broken pipeline released millions of gallons of sewage into the river the previous month, causing one of the largest wastewater spills in American history.
Scenes from the Potomac River Waterfront in Georgetown on Feb. 22.
Ben Ackman's Photography Website 