‘Double Rose-View’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

One of the most well-known phrase to describe avoidance of truth is ‘wearing rose-tinted glasses,’ so that all red flags look like uncoloured flags. But Radu decided to colour grade the photo to appear as though the viewer was wearing rose-tinted glasses too. With a gentle pink colour gradient and a mellow noise over model Iulia’s rose-tinted glasses, Radu invites the viewer to consider what red flags they don’t notice in their own life. In this section, Radu explores the same theme as his editorial content, but through photography, digital illustration, and a bit of film montage (top of page)- shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited on DaVinci Resolve 19.0).

‘Invincibility Cloak’ - illustrated by Radu on Procreate, 2025.

For Radu’s article on the psychology behind why we love reality TV so much, he thought he would illustrate himself this time- he needs the self-awareness a bit more. Here, a metallic fabric cloak protects enough to not see anything underneath it, most of his body. What we do see, however, is the harsh, burnished lighting, and his judgemental gaze at us. He deflects whatever he has onto us for a change. The glow of the TV also shows his current position of coping with reality shows.

‘All at Once’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

When the rose turns grey, that’s when things get overwhelming. Radu manipulated the greyscale lighting using the Curves feature, ensuring that the chiaroscuro light catches the viewer’s attention.

‘My Daemon’ - shot by Radu on iPad Pro 2018 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

Radu’s cat certainly follows him around like a daemon- Philip Pullman’s idea of an animal that’s the extension of a person’s soul. The haze here is a little less pink, and the haze is slightly more subtle. Despite how much they argue, they should not be torn apart from each other, because Radu’s daemon helps him confront the repressed and avoided by meowing for food.

‘Organ’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

What Radu noticed about this shot was how the flash of light in the left lens resembled a thick tear, almost as if the glasses became a part of her body. The forest opposite Radu’s house was a very suitable setting, because it allowed for him to capture the mellow colours and the light that shone through the trees. Iulia has an almost-smile, but it looks as though she is struggling to uphold appearances.

‘POV’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

Radu shot this jewelry stall in Camden Market, and saw that the image blurred into a bokeh haze. But this was reminiscent of Iulia’s rose-tinted point of view. With her in mind, the viewer is invited to see what repressing and ignoring everything is like.

‘Eclectic Exhaustion’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

Latin translated:

Forehead- ‘Look upon the day of our wrath.’

Mouth: ‘You will be free.’

These words symbolise the promise of freedom and peace, but the forehead shows a mental state of dread lingering around. The rose atmosphere is now even more saturated, making Iulia look lethargic and sickly.

‘Nature’s Mockery’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

There is a contrast between the coat and the organic nature. Radu deliberately edited the matte trench coat (see black and white on the right) so that it had a synthetic glitter that contrasted with the organic, mild background. Nature mocks her cloak of protection.

‘Regal Moment’ - illustrated by Radu on Procreate, 2025.

The metallic sheen of the protective, and deflective, cloak still glares at us brightly. The glittering halo and the composition of the downward, thoughtful stare suggests how projection can be isolating, but intoxicatingly powerful.

‘Resentment’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

When one protects themselves too much, they also isolate themselves. Avoiding pain leads to a bitterness that burns red and swallows them up. In both, Radu deliberately shot the reference and picture at nighttime, respectively. This heightens the sense of isolation with negative space. The chiaroscuro lighting also creates a harsh and saturated atmosphere.

‘Tower’ - shot by Radu on Nikon DX SWM VR Ashperical - 0.28m/0.92ft / 52 and edited in Procreate, 2025.

Is Erica feeling confident, or is she sublimating pain through the elevation of her ego? Radu added a pink, warm temperature to the sky to give a sense of either peace, or a continuation of the rose-tinted glasses. The composition of a centralised towering figure is also intended to glorify her. But could it be compensating?