# Vibrant Pathogen Self-Portraits Bacteriograms by Erno-Erik Raitanen Captures His Germs By Meghan Young | Published 2013-05-29 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacteriograms-by-ernoerik-raitanen References: [fastcocreate](http://www.fastcocreate.com/1683050/instagerms-see-a-photographer-s-strangely-beautiful-portraits-of-his-own-bacteria) & [erno-erik](http://www.erno-erik.com/) The photo series titled Bacteriograms by Erno-Erik Raitanen, a Finnish-born photographer currently living in London, United Kingdom, focuses on [a different kind of selfie](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/persona-ai). Instead of photographing his own person, the artist turned the lens onto a part of him that is a bit more questionable: [his bacteria](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microbiomepowered). Creating a makeshift lab in his basement, Bacteriograms by Erno-Erik Raitanen was born. He essentially cultivated his own bacteria on film gelatin, which, over a course of a week, would result in the colorful images that make up the photo series. Raitanen reveals, "There were plenty of ideas that I was working through myself while creating these images, like questioning the nature of photographic portraiture and the relation between [science and art in photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farming-photographs). For me, the series is as much or even more about the process than it is about the end results." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 91% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Microbial Self-portraits:** Opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations between artists and scientists to explore the microscopic world. - **DIY Biotech:** Potential for individuals to create their own biotech projects in a home laboratory setting. - **Art-science Fusion:** Increased interest in blending art and science to create unique and interdisciplinary works. ### Where This Applies - **Photography:** Innovative techniques and subject matter can push the boundaries of traditional photography. - **Biotechnology:** New opportunities for individuals to explore their own microbiology and develop projects at home. - **Art and Design:** Opportunities for artists and designers to collaborate with scientists and utilize scientific techniques in their creations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Thought-Provoking Interactive Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antibodies-installation.md) - [Organic Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lapso.md) - [Photography Project Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1.md) - [Biology-Inspired Porcelain Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiyuan-xu.md) - [Computational Undersea-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coral-soaps-collection.md) - [Functional Gingerbread Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gingerbread-camera.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Fungi-Inspired Multidisciplinary Art Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-void.md)