Eorzea's Next Top Model - Cycle 3 Round 11

http://i.imgur.com/NRSGCP4.png

Welcome back one an' all, to round eleven of Eorzea's Next Top Model! I apologize for m'absence in recent weeks - I've come t'believe that th'reason th'Maelstrom use red for everythin' is 'cause o' the amount o' red tape I've been caught up in o' late.

So we're now down to five, with th'loss - for real this time - o' Adam. Let's see what happens this week, with only one elimination left before th'final four move on to th'last round!

Th'description this week was as follows:

"Stargazing. Nobody in Eorzea ever looks up! Go find a nice spot and watch the stars for a bit."

So for this round, you need t'pick jus' two o' our models that y'think had th'best shots this week! One change - I figured jus' labelin' th'shots worked out well enough so I decided not t'scrawl all over 'em th'way I was doin' before. So really not so much of a change as I'm keepin' on doin' things as I was.

So, without further ado....

Eorzea's Next Top Model - Round 11

Wow!! some really amazing work here this week! Well here are my top two, and some kind words as well ^.^

Top 2:
Flare Anderfel - Wow! This is just so wonderfully cute, sweet, and dreamy! It's like a bed time story gone right! Almost like a sweeter version of Ted with someone still holding on to precious childhood memories of his best friend from long ago, still gazing into the heavens to find out there are still dreams worth dreaming about at night!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!! It's so point on, and just sends me into a wonderful world of imagination and happiness, I literally yearn for my childhood stuffed animals now! So we can go gaze at the stars, and keep the dream alive! Your lighting is done well, I love the location, and you really stuck true to the theme!

Eirwen Mackenzie - I really adore this shot a lot! It's like you decided to just take a step back from the adventuring long enough to allow yourself to get lost into the beauty that is the night time sky in Eorzea! I love that lil' flare effect you have going on as if it's a really shiny north star or something, I love the lighting on you as well, it's very well done. I appreciate any story/idea you were going for, and it's really shows off well what you put forth into your shot. I now have the urge to stop my crafting for a bit and just go take a relaxing break the same way you seemed to have, by looking into Eorzea's heavens above! Great shot this week

All the models did really well this week as well too!

Also Yay first vote this week ^.^!

My two cents for this dealio.
1) Adeline
2) Flare

Best of luck to both:
1) Adeline Urusa
2) Rhaya Relanah

YASSS I GET TO VOTE!! *ahem* I have to apologize first if I offend anyone. I can be blunt sometimes. Without further ado...

ITS JUDGE ADAM dun dun duuuuun

In no particular order, my top two;
Adeline - Out of all the pictures, I have to genuinely say that your screenshot was my favourite out of the lot. From my take on things, the scene seems very serene even though there were multiple extras in the background. I can even imagine the faint whispers and small talk as this small group of friends gather together to gaze up at the stars. I'm very pleased and impressed that even with that many extras, you still manage to pull focus onto you! And the colours are subtle, but they really make your picture stand out to me.

I do have to point out that you should be very careful with the lighting (some of those extras look brighter than the others). With the angle of the lighting as well, it just seems out of place with the light source coming from nowhere. Maybe if you shifted the lighting a bit south so that the shadow on your face is shifted to the other side, and the light on the models were moved to their backs, but slightly faint, that would give an impression of a dim light source from a nearby lamp post in the back.

Eirwen - Your pose, that background...! I love it! Your attire was a nice touch as well (maybe except that chest piece)! The clouds start off very packed together, and then as it goes up, it gets clearer. I get the impression that on the other side of the camera is a cloudless night sky - and that is what you're looking at! It's a great shot with great lighting, great background, and great effects!

Everything about it just works very well together! But those sparkles around the picture just seem to be very out of place especially the one that big one that looks like a super grainy smudge glowing because of a star that's hiding behind it. Then again, that could be a very good thing too! Hence why I chose yours over most of the others! It has that certain pizazz that makes it feel complete.


For the other models;
Flare - It's a cute scene! It's as if you're ranting about your day to that cute bear sitting next to you whist gazing at the stars! Your expression and pose does suggest so, I think. The background is even more lovely! This scene you created... I like it! That bear must be your long-time companion and best friend. It's a very pretty thing. I have to point out that the stars behind you are a lot more nicer to look at. It makes me wonder why you would choose this picture. And then it hit me! You must have chosen this to tell a story!

I really want to like this picture more and put it in my top two... I really do! However, this picture doesn't speak out to me in particular. Your posing, the lighting, and the scene are all gorgeous... but I feel as though something is amiss. It's not that it isn't a good picture - it really is a very nicely taken shot! Just that I don't feel particularly attached to this picture? It's missing something, but I can't put my finger on it!

Jinx - Happy new years! At least - that's the impression I'm getting from this picture. Your choice to include the bright colours in the background is a very bold move... but I think it's the good kind. Yours shows a contrast to a starry night sky with a festival kind of mood where it's noisy and abuzz with people! It looks like you ran away from the crowd and into an area with very little sound where you can look up at the stars in peace.

However, your choice of clothing seems very out of place. The hat was fine, but the chestpiece breaks out of scene. It's not something you'd wear to somewhere with a festival mood and decorations, but how should I know since there isn't a caption to help me figure out what you're trying to do (and I wish there was ;__; ). The scene just seems super empty to me.

Rhaya - I'll admit, this shot looks lovely! You even managed to find a really pretty flower! The sky doesn't seem cluttered and you've seem to have chosen somewhere with a good view of the night sky that looks gorgeous. The scene just looks like a dream. Safe to say that I'm impressed! I'm guessing that the flower is some sort of rare flower that grows ever so often? Your expression does show how happy you seem to be at finding it. xD

Just a few things; your attire, expression and pose. Your choice of clothing works, and I have no idea why! Your pose, however, seems a little off. Maybe a more subtle smile instead of one that looks like you're hysterical? Also, maybe if your character was looking a bit more down than that so you have eye contact with the flower because it looks like you're looking over it and at something else. Then again, you kinda are supposed to be gazing at the stars!

Awesome shots everyone!

my picks are:
Flare
Adeline

Good luck everyone!

Very nice.

1. Eirwen Mackenzie
2. Flare Anderfel

You guys are really giving it your all here at the end. Another round of excellent photos.. another very difficult voting choice! My votes, in the order in which they appear in the album:

Eirwen Mackenzie - What a wonderful backdrop! You look like you could get lost in that vast, starry expanse!
Flare Anderfel - I love this shot! It's a great pose, and you look like you're being swallowed by a whole sea of stars!

Hello all!
I hope everyone is staying healthy! ^^

Here are my two picks~

Flare Anderfel
Jinx Fireboot

My picks:
Flare
Adeline

My vote for this cycle is for:
Jinx and Rhaya! \o/

Top Two:

Flare Anderfel
Jinx Fireboot

They are all great but I'll have to go with:
Adeline
Eirwen

Flare and Jinx!

1. Eirwen

2. Adeline

Eirwin Mackenzie
Flare Anderfel

Good afternoon bumples <3 ^.^

Some more BUMPing! :D

1.) Eirwen - Stunning starry skies with the shadows of the Limsa castles on the horizon. I don't know what spell effect that is, but it adds a perfect touch of sparkle.

2.) Flare - What an adorable little teddy bear; He's bigger than your little lala. You got the sky at the perfect time where the milky way is strolling behind you creating a gradient from light to dark across the shot. I'm also personally partial to the purple both you and Eirwen wore. It contrasts nicely to the night sky.

Everyone else is gorgeous as always and I'm heartbroken to not be able to vote for you all.

Adeline
Jinx

I'm usually a faster poster, but I've been agonizing over this one! They all deserve a spot in the next round for various reasons!

My Top 2:

Rhaya - The perspective was puzzling me for so long! It looks like it's in front of you, yet I know it's behind you since that's gotta be near Tranquil! You look so pleased to be out amongst the moonlight!

Eirwen - Have you found a ghost while stargazing!? /panic (This is just a beautiful shot all around and very well framed!)

[Other comments incoming after I locate food!]

My Top 2:
Flare
Rhaya

Top 2:
Adeline
Flare

Nice compositions all around.

Oooh, voting time! =D
But so difficult to choose! D: I'm almost tempted to just close my eyes and point to someone ;_; But I won't.
*spends far too long looking at screenshots before making up mind*

Jinx Fireboot
Rhaya Relanah

Jinx Fireboot



Flare Anderfel

It's hard to say, but I think those two did best with getting an interesting pose and background.

flare anderfel
and
rhaya relana

what a nice set of choppers :D

Soooooo difficult this time...

Adeline
Flare

Good luck everyone!

Suggestion on things to do while waiting for the patch: vote in this thread :3

(In other words: BUMP! ♥)

Flare (you're so cute with that bear I want to punt you...I mean)
Adeline

Jinx Fireboot
Flare Anderfel

Awesome shots guys!

Quick! Before I forget to vote >.<

Eirwen

Flare

Flare
Adeline

Judge Scores and Feedback

Adeline Urusa

Judge A: " I love this. The building in the backdrop sort of frames the skyline nicely, the stars look lovely. I actually really like that you included extras. It's nice to see them also gazing up at the stars, but also some at each other like they are in conversation about the beautiful sky. Can be taken that you are all adventurers taking a break together. I also like the flowers just to your left, they fill that negative space nicely. By placing yourself closest to the camera and being the only one facing it, you have kept yourself the focus despite the number of people, good work." Score: 2

Judge B: "It's a great shot! Did you try and get the moon in there? I really like the the people in the background are looking up but also chatting with each other. I find myself wondering what they are talking about instead of wondering what you are looking at though." Score: 2

Judge C: " I kind of like the bright light at night thing you have going on but the angle of your shot feels awkward and a bit disconnected. It’s a beautiful night but, it looks like you’ve spied a monster out of the corner of your eye. This shot could have been amazing if you had a softer expression on your face or been looking more towards the right." Score: 2

Judge D: " I like the interesting angle you've chosen looking away from the extras in the background. The amount of black you have washes you out a bit at night, but I think overall it's another well-executed picture! " Score: 2

Judge E: "Gorgeous shot. Once again good use of extras, I like the stargazing party that you have going here! I do wish you weren't so disconnected from the scene though - it would work better perhaps if at least a few of your extras were looking in the same direction as you." Score: 2

Eirwen Mackenzie

Judge A: "This is gorgeous! One of my favorite weather effects in XIV is a slightly cloudy night sky. I love that you got such a nice silhouette of the city behind you. Your character is well lit without being naturally orange, nice job. I like your gear too, adventurer stopping to appreciate the view of the lovely sky. Those sparkly looking bits are nice too, not sure what they are lol. /noob~ Nice touch off centering too. Not sure I have any negatives to give!" Score: 3

Judge B: "Not a fan of the outfit, but the background is nice and I like the pose and the concept! I get the feeling though that you were afraid to face AWAY from the camera because of voters and judges hating back facing pictures. I think this would have looked great if you were in profile at least!" Score: 2

Judge C: "I can’t get over your background. I love the clouds pulling back and exposing the star filled skies over a silhouetted Limsa skyline. Your usage of the sparkles was just subtle enough to bring those stars so close you could almost touch them. Well done this week!" Score: 3

Judge D: "Your backdrop is stunning. Not just stars but the castle as well was well-chosen. The pose works but I think you could have chosen a different expression to help, still, I think it's a fantastic shot. Well done! " Score: 2

Judge E: "This is an utterly gorgeous backdrop, very well done! I do find it a little odd with the angle chosen making it tricky to see what you're looking at. A solid all around shot nonetheless!" Score: 2

Flare Raulbel

Judge A: "Now this one is very sweet! Stopping with your bear to star gaze and chat? I love that you managed to capture him so he looks like he is looking up too. Your pose is nice, good mid convo hand gesturing. You got a great amount of sky in the picture, given the theme that's good. I'm glad you got the sort of milky way looking part of the Eorzea night sky in there, makes it more interesting since you don't have much horizon in there." Score: 2

Judge B: "Great background and concept. I dont LOVE the outfit, but I don't hate it. This is just a great stargazing picture...good job!" Score: 3

Judge C: "I think what I love the most about this shot is that it has such an innocent feel to it. Just you and your bear under that gorgeous Eorzean sky pondering what is out there.. somewhere. Very well done." Score: 2

Judge D: "I like the hint of the desert in the background to give enough context about where you are, and the starry night definitely chock-full! I love the slight bit of humor injected about sharing this moment with a teddy. Very cute pose and expression too, works with your story." Score: 3

Judge E: "I love how you're looking as if you're telling your bear a story, I imagine a campfire off to the side! You found a wonderful starscape and you're clearly looking up into them. Stellar effort! (pun intended)" Score: 3

Jinx Fireboot

Judge A: " I like that you went for a city skyline, different! The stars look pretty and the glow from the lanterns and moogle decorations adds some zing. I just wish your gear was different, it feels like a new year kinda thing and I think the shot would benefit from you wearing something more festivaly or perhaps even just some relaxed gear. I think a Yukata would have been perfect. If it wasn't for the decorations your gear would have been fine. " Score: 2

Judge B: "After a long magic show of pulling moogles from your hat, you come out of the stadium and you look up at the stars and you wish there was something more out there...then you remember you have a MP bar and become a Astrologist. Lol! Good concept! I like this picture but it makes me claustrophobic and I dont know why." Score: 2

Judge C: "Are you wishing upon a star? The angle and your expression definitely give me that feeling that you are star gazing. I also really like how the lantern lights scattered about add to that starry skylight." Score: 2

Judge D: "I love the background you've chosen in addition to the stars. Makes you seem like you were out on the town and on your way home noticed how pretty the sky was. I think a different expression would have pushed it further for me, but overall it's a great picture." Score: 2

Judge E: "A very different setting but it works very well too! You angled the shot very well to make it look as if you're staring up at the stars. My only real complaint is that the hat doesn't really match the body, in my opinion. Good job working with the theme overall however!" Score: 2

Rhaya Relenah

Judge A: "Yay someone caught the moon, I love the moon in XIV. :3 Nice shot, the stars look nice, again some clouds, weeee. I like that you can see the light radiating from the moon. The glowing flowers look lovely. I just wish that it was zoomed out ever so slightly, I know it's a model comp so it shouldn't really be an issue that you take up most of the image, but I would have liked to see a little more of you. I also think the posing could have been tweaked a lil, it doesn't really seem like your are looking at the sky, and the fact you look sooo happy almost makes me want to know why. Is someone making you laugh? etc. A slightly toned down happy may have worked better. " Score: 1

Judge B: "This is an amazing picture, but I don't think it matches the theme at all. I hope you can find a place to use this picture, like in a signature or a banner or something because it is gorgeous! You have the best facial expressions, and you use them to your advantage. Just watch that you are meeting the themes. Star gazing, not flower gazing. I think your concept is seeing a flower that only blooms when its the full moon? Its a nice concept, I love it! If the theme had been starry night, with you only needing a starry background, this photo would be a 3. So..." Score: 1

Judge C: "You are so adorably cute in this shot. You off to the left with the flower on the right, framing the moon and night sky Is just lovely. The closeup however hides the big picture such as why you are so happy over a flower, and that unfortunately, I find a bit distracting. Still, a really good shot overall" Score: 1

Judge D: " I do enjoy your interesting angle shots quite a bit, I just don't know if I like this particular one. I love that you're the only one with a moon in your shot...but you're not really looking up and enjoying it all or star-gazing. Maybe we caught you in a moment when you finally looked down and saw something else, but it doesn't really sell the theme. Regardless, the creativity of these angled shots are always impressive to me." Score: 1

Judge E: "The story here seems to be that you found a pretty flower that only blooms at night! Unfortunately as nice as this shot is...the round description explicitly mentioned stargazing and complained about nobody in Eorzea ever looking up...and you're doing exactly that! A wonderful expressive shot but unfortunately gets my 1 this week due to the fact that I don't feel it really meets the theme requirements." Score: 1

Results
33 - Flare Anderfel
22 - Adeline Urusa
22 - Eirwen Mackenzie
18 - Jinx Fireboot
10 - Rhaya Relanah

Fittingly, our S-Rank winner is also the one who won the round in a landslide - Flare Anderfel!