Ben Szymanski

Ben Szymanski is an independent developer, Umbraco Certified Master, and Umbraco MVP. He discovered Umbraco during the venerable v7 days and builds projects spanning the web and native macOS applications. His interests include hypermedia and server-rendered interfaces, and making new software for old Macs.

When he’s not writing code, Ben enjoys cruising the Florida coast on his eFoil (electric hydrofoil), playing piano, and tinkering with his vintage computer collection.

Photography of the Web

Issue No 133 • 03 November 2026

What if we framed web development the way photographers frame a shot? Ben walks us through hypermedia as exactly that: the browser as camera, Umbraco as the studio where you stage the world, with HTMX and surface controllers doing the work.

HTMX & Umbraco: Powertool meet Powertool

Issue No 115 • 08 April 2025

The web wasn’t meant to mimic native apps, but we've somehow turned it into exactly that. Ben explores why a hypermedia-first approach with HTMX is a refreshing alternative, and shows exactly how Umbraco developers can use it to create simpler, slicker, and smarter websites.