Recently, I took creative portraits of Carmen, a PhD candidate at Radboud University. Carmen’s background is in biotechnologies and molecular biology, having studied at the University of Ferrara in Italy. She is fascinated by the functional complexity of organisms and is currently studying how stochastic events can impact molecular processes. Carmen believes that doing science also requires creativity, so she has always been interested in many art forms. Her biggest passion is singing and creating music, and she also enjoys drawing to relax and think.
During the photoshoot, Carmen proved to be a patient and natural poser, as well as a willing participant in the creative process. There was no specific plan for the shoot, and we walked towards an empty, recently built laboratory within the faculty. We had room to experiment with natural lighting, a window reflection, and movement. The resulting photos showcase Carmen’s natural beauty and intelligence, with a mix of serious and playful poses that reflect her personality.
In addition to the natural-looking portraits, I wanted to try a more cinematic look. I recently discovered Fujifilm’s film simulation Eterna Bleach Bypass, which I wanted to try out. The following creative portraits of Carmen give a different vibe, with a more severe and moody tone.
It’s great to see how scientists can have many talents; Carmen is a perfect example. Her passion for art and music complements her scientific background and adds another dimension to her personality. Carmen’s creative talents in both science and the arts are truly inspiring. It was a pleasure to capture both sides of her personality in these creative portraits. This experience reminded me of the importance of exploring different artistic mediums and how they can enrich one’s work and life.