Striking Photos Look Like Curious Snapshots of Surreal Dreamscapes

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Suspended somewhere between reality and a dream, Oleg Oprisco‘s photographs are instantly mesmerizing. The Ukrainian artist uses enigmatic figures, scenic destinations, and a variety of eye-catching props to curate surreal settings that envelop viewers with a sense of wonder.

His goal is to create images that capture the ambiguous, mutable visuals often evoked while reading a book. “Endless inspiration surrounds us everywhere,” Oprisco tells My Modern Met. “These are locations, people, and scenes of real life. I capture these moments and then improve them, add meaning, work on details, select colors, and add decor.” During this process, he uses his imagination to find areas of the composition that can be enhanced with conceptual additions to the clothing and background.

Instead of relying on digital alterations, Oprisco believes in creating as much as he can by hand. “I create real props for all photos. This preparation is long, but also very inspiring and gives me the opportunity to think about the whole image of the character, their pose and clothes, and basic mood,” he continues. Ultimately, these props become devices to communicate the story hidden within the photo—whether that be a feeling or an activity. “I like to show the interaction of man and nature, as well as hyperbolize and complicate simple scenes,” Oleg adds. “It's like creating a puzzle or riddle using simple tools.”

Scroll down to see more surreal photos by Oprisco, and follow the artist on Instagram to keep up to date with his latest projects.

Ukrainian artist Oleg Oprisco creates conceptual photographs that look like they're set in dreamscapes.

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

He uses real-life props to enhance the drama of his images.

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

“I like to show the interaction of man and nature, as well as hyperbolize and complicate simple scenes,” Oleg tells My Modern Met.

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

“It's like creating a puzzle or riddle using simple tools.”

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Conceptual Photography by Oleg Oprisco

Oleg Oprisco: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Oleg Oprisco.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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