Eorzea's Next Top Model Cycle 4 - Round 4

Since your beloved Cap'n has a three day weekend this week, you can have this week's round early! I am a benevolent, incredibly handsome overlord.

We had a trip out to the Beast Tribes last week, which resulted in some fantastic shots but also the loss of two of our models - Alexion and Epsil. We hope you'll both show us the rest of the shots you have!

For this week, we continued the exploration of Eorzea by sending the models off to visit the threat that continues to hang over us all - the Garleans!

The models had to take their shot within one of the overworld Castrums. Other than that, they had free rein! Let's see what they came up with...

ENTM Cycle 4 Round 4 - The Garleans

Voting is the same - order the shots according to your favourites! Judging will end at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday when we will lose another two models.

Best of luck!

This one was really hard wow they're all really great!! Gosh, I don't even know how to score them but I'm gonna try my best.

Sunny Day // I think this shot is, objectively, the best. It has a great framework and angle, the effects are really nice, and you can tell it's Garlean! The contrasting colours work well, whether or not that was intentional! I really have nothing to add that would have made this shot better, which is why it gets my first place vote this round.
Brun Hilda // I really like the composition of this, The magitek in the back mid-shot (I assume??) was a great touch, it looks like a spotlight and works really well for this! My only complaint would be that the sky feels a bit empty, and would have worked better with the moon, or one of those bright purple stars, in between yourself and the building in order to draw the eye around in a nice circle.
Nozomi Kei // The concept for this was probably my favourite of the bunch! Really interesting idea, and the outfit works great! I never would have thought of using that dragon helm with the dreadwyrm set, I might have to steal that for a glamour one day ;> In the mean time, my main critique is that the composition is lop-sided. This sort of frontal picture I think would have really benefited from a perfectly straight-on approach, with even spacing on either side of you with the camera. I also want to say that it might have looked better at sunrise/sunset, with some light beams to really bring the attention of the viewer to the center, but that's just me.
Hopelle Losstoam // I'm not a big fan of the backshot here, and I really wish there was something else making you stand out, but I love the effects you chose and the location has a really nice composition for your shot!
Katahr Mest // The lighting in this is lovely, and so's your composition! I think a different effect other than the A marker, though, would have worked better. The red kind of clashes and brings down the shot, in my opinion. Probably my favourite from you so far, though!
Tinsley Tr'uhart // This is such a great pose, and really nicely posed! Maybe it's just me but, I feel like it could have been "any shoot", it just doesn't feel particularly castrum or garlean to me. A different location in the castrum, maybe with the sky visible, or something to really sell that "angel of vengeance" look I think you were going for, something to make it "pop".. Overall it really is a nice shot, but I think the others took the concept and did something more unique with it.
Stephen Fairbrook // Aaaghhh someone had to be last and I really wish it wasn't you, because I DO really like your shot! It's got such a nice concept and mood to it, but it feels so bland and plain compared to the others. :< Some lighting, maybe, to your far right, or an action that put you in a more "ready to pounce" pose would have really sold this shot to me.

1. Sunny Day - I love the colors! Works so good with the concept! The pose is very dynamic and he's got a very nice expression for the situation. He really looks like he's hell bent and determined to show those Garlean's who's the boss kitty around here! It's also quite a dynamic shot making this one my favorite.

2. Brun Hilda - It was so hard to put this in second because it's really really good (I'm just a sucker for color) however don't let that dissuade you. This is also an amazing shot, and if you had used color like his, it would have put off the shot and ruined the concept which I think you did wonderfully! I love how you're looking at the camera just as the Magitek is about to go off, watching the viewer just as they're about to be killed, in amusement. Just like a Garlean!

3. Katarh Mest - The use of the place marker to make your kitty pop was a very smart idea. I love the off balances position of your character as she's just about to execute her plot to assassinate her enemies. I only kindof wish she had been slightly closer to her enemies.

4. Hopelle Losstoam - I love the poses in this. The background, as well as the overall balanced shot! This would have ranked a lot higher if it just hadn't been for the battle effect. m(_ _)m The red portion of it is pretty cool, and might have worked, but that flash of white on your character is a bit distracting. That, also paired with the sun light's ray is a teeny bit clashy and pulls the attention away from the models of the shot and more on the effects. Though it is still a great shot.

5. Nozomi Kei - You have a very fun concept! It is pretty cool you had friends who would help you out like that! You really look like a man in power! The Violet Dragon, Legatus Telis Van Nebris eh? That's pretty awesome! XD I only wish the background had been different and the shot more balanced.

6. Stephen Fairbrook - Another one with a pretty cool concept! Scouting out the area of the Garleans. The shot is dynamic, and I love the model's positioning. But there's something about the background that just makes it kind of...lifeless...even with the two Garleans. I dunno...it's not a bad shot. It's just not a strong shot.

7. Tinsley Tr'uhart - You have a beautiful pose and the use of wings was cool....but kind of like Ebsil's fall in the last round, I just don't understand the concept of this shot without reading the description. It could have been an amazing shot with a different background, or perhaps some Garlean's fighting you...but you're just kind of....there.

I'm sorry *scratches head* I hope I don't seem too harsh on a few of you. Just giving my honest opinion.

The shots were all amazing though! You all did such a good job!

Katahr Mest
Sunny Day
Stephen Fairbrook
Hopelle Losstoam
Nozomi Kei
Brun Hilda
Tinsley Tr'uhart

This week was especially difficult for me to rank--wonderful job, everyone! :) I really liked the concepts for all of them--though I thought some were executed better than others. Thanks for all of your hard work this cycle, it's proving to be a really tough competition. My ranking:

1. Sunny Day
2. Katarh Mest
3. Nozomi Kei
4. Brun Hilda
5. Stephen Fairbrook
6. Hopelle Losstoam
7. Tinsley Tr'uhart

Hehe, youtube models, assemble! I had to actively avoid my skype group from the start this round was up because discussion exploded of course and I don’t want to be biased at all. Cept maybe via my bf, but I just brush off his opinion when he doesn’t agree with me. Huehuehue. You all had great shots but there has to be an order, so we'll have to put you in one... T_T


Brun Hilda - Put your blurb up in the sky in the center and you have yourself a recruitment poster for the Garleans. XD I love the idea, and the lighting in this shot is very exiting and in my opinion the best in this round. It goes from the warm, bright yellow/orange to the cool greenish blue of the Castrum. Awesome costume and extra coordination as well! (I spy a Rhaya!) You’re really getting out the big guns for this cycle (haha cause the magitek! *nugde nudge*) and I’d put gil down that we will see you in the finals!

Hopelle Losstoam - I LOVE the sun in this one (I am a sucker for these pretty sunbeams), as well as the effect. The framing is great and as battleshot it really fulfills all one would like to see in one. It’s a backshot - the dreaded “risky” shot - but at least to a degree it pays off in here. Not to mention it is tricky to pull off non-backshot battleshots in the first place.

Nozomi Kei - Haha! I love this idea! My bf finds it a bit weird, but it’s so cool in my opinion! The framing is, okay, it could have been a biiiit more symmetrical though. Good use of extras and their costumes as well! Your own outfit is put together very creatively with that hat… though I still dislike buttwings… hrm. The lighting here intrigues me, the slight reddish tint does indeed give you that “evil flair” every overlord should aim for.

Stephen Fairbrook - Not sure if someone has said this (I try to avoid other people’s critiques this cycle because I want to judge with my opinion, not others), but with your pictures I cannot help but sometimes feel everything is a bit squished. XD I know this is due to the size of your picture compared to the others, but I cannot help that feeling developing on its own occaisionally.
That said, you do have nice framing and your picture tells a story that can stand on its own, even without the blurb - which nicely complements it. What I would have liked seeing here is a bit of outfit coordination. I think most of your outfit is Ironworks, which i think fits well into the setting, but the mixed colours throw me off, as well as the glow of the bow. Lightingwise the bow is great to draw the eye to you, but with the story you want to tell it’s a touch illogical. Who carries a huge glowy bow with them on a sneaky mission? ^^;

Tinsely Tr’uhart - Those wings~ I love them. So much that I still ahve 98 of them XD It’s a visually striking picture, if only for the effect and you, all white against a darker background. I just wish we could actually see what you are striking down. As is, it has the great lighting effect… but not much more.

Katarh Mest - Another of you saved the garlean armour! XD (and so did I and I will keep saving it now in case a round like this ever pops up in a future cycle) I like what you are going for here, outfit and pose are great, and the use of the ground target is unique, though the purplish shine seems to clash a bit. What I could have liked more in this shot is the enemy much much closer to you. like on the conspicuously empty grass patch behind you. Would sell this picture so much better!

Sunny Day - A great battleshot, for sure. Good pose and the effect from greased lighting is not too obscuring. A few things put this shot lower than what it could have been though. I love outfit coordination, even for battleshots, and while last round you put yourself together so well this seems a bit… random. Then the background. The gloom wetaher is not helping but because you are positioned where you are, there is a really strange schism going on. To our right we have the magitek and metal buildings and they seem to be on your level, to the left stone, and it seems it is a lower plane as well. All in all my eyes are just very confused. It might have helped to be a touch more zoomed out, so we could see where and what you’re standing on exactly.

Sunny Day
Stephen Fairbrook
Brun Hilda
Tinsley Tr'uhart
Katahr Mest
Nozomi Kei
Hopelle Losstoam

Lets see here. Every one was pretty nice ^^

Sunny Day
Hopelle Losstoam
Brun Hilda
Nozomi Kei
Tinsley Tr'uhart
Katarh Mest
Stephen Fairbrook

Love the different vibes I'm getting from each picture! My order for this round:

1. Nozomi Kei
2. Stephen Fairbrook
3. Brun Hilda
4. Sunny Day
5. Hopelle Losstoam
6. Katarh Mest
7. Tinsley Tr'uhart

Welp it's that time again! Round 4, so exciting!! I'm loving EVERYONES shot this week! It was really a toughie for me, but I'll admit after spending enough time looking them over, a few did stand out a lil' more than the others... but like I said I loved them all. Great work everyone, really great work! So many dynamic shots... well, as always I'll provide a lil' critique, I'm not an expert or anything and these are clearly my personal opinions, but here goes:

1. Stephen Fairbrook - This is one of my favorite shots of all this cycle! It's so dynamic, so much depth to it! It's so beautiful, I'm just so happy and amazed to see your progress in this competition! You've really shown some amazing strides! I love your glamors, they match up with Castrum's to a T! Using Cid's knowledge of Magitek against the Garleans!!! So much inspiration! Keep up the amazing work Stephen, I will note that you don't really seem to have a light source on you, but the glowing on your gear and weapon really bring the full attention to yourself, and since you're being all stealthy it works! Only thing I'd have to nitpick is there is a lil open space between the mobs and the left side, but it really isn't too bad, and considering you got that Castrum tower in the background! It really helps it bring the shot together as a whole!
2. Brun Hilda - O..M...Brun! You have been doing so fabulously well in this contest! I'm so glad to see more of you finally! It's such a treat to see how your mind works and how well you can but a screenshot together! This was so beautifully well done! Again another really dynamic shot, so much going on, yet you're still the focal point of the shot itself. I'm just so amazed! Your glamors is on point, your extras are well placed and do not upstage you in the least bit! And that Magitek armor as lighting and effect! I thought at first it was just a street lamp and was like "That is a cool lamp! How come I've never... WAIT A MIN! THAT'S AWESOME-SAUCESOME!!!" Just so pleased with your shot this week. My only thing to I guess nitpick is the effect does draw some attention away from you, but it wasn't enough that I didn't notice you as a model first. So really well done, just careful on them effects though, it worked this time quite beautifully ^.^
3. Hopelle Lostoam - Wow! This is a really beautiful and again dynamic shot! I'm so impressed with this shot! I love the Garleans actively attacking you, and you fighting back for your home nation of Ul'dah! Great job getting Ul'dah in the background of the shot as well, that is what makes this such a dynamic shot!!!! I love that this back shot is really working for you, such a risk.. TWO so far in the competition, and I think they've very well paid off for you! Your effect is a lot to take in, but it doesn't overpower you in the least bit... it really just compliments you as a model. It doesn't obstruct your body so much that I'm like "Where is the beef.. I mean the model?!" lol Very well done this week. My small nitpick for this shot is, I'm not entirely sold on your glamor choice, it's a good set of glamors, but something just seems just a smidge off to me. The blue color though really makes you pop and stand out against your background and effect so good job on that ^.^
4. Katarh Mest - /clap I must applaud you, you've really shown some nice improvement since you came here to this competition. I'm thoroughly impressed with this shot! The background, the foreground, this shot is really on that dynamic point and I'm in love with it so much! I love you're playing a Ninja assassin ready to show up them Garleans and send them packing back to Garlemald! You go girl! Kick some butt! My only thing I'm not 100% sold on is your waymark effect. Those waymarks can be used to do some amazing things with shots, and it does indeed help point you into the focal point of the shot, but honestly? I do not think you need it, I think you would have been just fine w/o it and might have even placed higher with me if it had not been there. Just be careful when using effects on your characters, make sure they're working with you or for you, not against you. But otherwise this is such a beautiful shot, it really is amazing! Excellent job!
5. Nozomi Kei - I must say, I really like the general idea behind this shot. It's really well thought out with the placing and location. It's a bit enclosed, but for what you were going for it works well enough. I love how you coordinated your extras with each other, well done. Your glamors how ever, I'm not really sure about that. I love the look and feel of it, but to obscure your face completely... I'm not sure if it entirely works. It's not bad, and it was a nice risky shot. I think it paid well off enough, but something just seems slightly off to me. I wish there had been more in the background, but like I said it worked for what you were going for well enough.
6. Tinsley Tr'uhart - First off let me say, it was a beautiful pose and such a beautiful set of glamors! It really all works together so well! But, you seem to be going for what looks like a battle shot, and I don't see any kind of strife at all going on with any kind of enemy really... I'm not sure that really works too well with your idea. I love me some wings! And angels! The concept was on point, and the glamors was spot on, but your lack of a good background and no strife for what seems to be a fight scene, I'm just not sure it 100% works. It's a really beautiful shot, it really is!
7. Sunny Day - I'm loving the effects going on and the weather. It meshes well together enough. Your background is rather good, has some dynamic pieces going on. But I'm just not sold on your glamors at all. It really looks like a mash-up of a few different pieces that really do not go well together in my opinion. And I didn't even realize you were fighting an enemy till I read your description. Make sure you place NPC's as well as you can. I honestly thought it was part of your background, till I realized I was supposed to be looking for an enemy. I know those can be had to work with, really really hard!! It's a nice shot, I love your posing and your effect going on, just your glamors, extra, just really weren't working for me this week though.

Again DISCLAIMER as always, if I offend ANYONE please let me know and I'll amend my statements. Great work this round guys! /cheer! It's getting so heated and GOOD!!!

The decision was SO HARD for me... My favorite was clear, my least favorite was clear And everyone else was just so hard to place! I want to keep this simple. And considering this is fan voting... I have to admit I did want to give some people a boost that I thought deserved more credit.

1. Stephen Fairbrook This picture struck me with it's simplicity. It stood out for me because unlike the others it wasn't trying to be flashy and the color co-ordination was so well done that all the aspects that need to pop, popped and the fog fading off in the distance made the atmosphere PERFECT~!

2. Brun Hilda The framing on this shot is genius, with a simple message, join us, or join... dead. Really nice. It bugs me a little that the Magitek is cut off, but not so much that I don't appreciate the gesture.

3. Katarh Mest This is a really nice shot! The scenic in the background is great and you managed to pop, but you never had trouble with that. You've been growing well in this competition, and I want to see more from you. I'd really like it if you could get closer to the action next time, don't be afraid to be involved in the picture or die for your art! If you had been fighting them having been caught, it would also have been nice.

4. Hopelle Losstoam I love EVERYTHING about this pic... except for the ability effect! It really throws me off... it's a beautiful scenic shot, and here you are strong and facing off against the enemy, and then there are these red streaks going across everything to obscure all the rest of the beauty! Why must you do this to me?

5. Nozomi Kei This concept is so nice! And everything was arranged great! I only wish that you popped more from the picture (maybe having some sun minion action) and the sky in the background is so simple and underwhelming for the epic setup. It made the picture fall a bit flat, but your effort shows!

6. Sunny Day As always, you're beautiful. You really pop from the picture, but all the colors and effects going on obscures the background and you command too much focus for the theme because I really don't know what to look at behind you because you steal the show a bit too much.

7. Tinsley Tru'hart I'm so sorry, but you really did not use those wings effectively... the wings obscure everything interesting about your setting and you're in this active pose, but I don't see the threat! Everything else is so empty that I'm underwhelmed... this is a really weak shot for a great concept...

1. Brun Hilda
2. Katarh Mest
3. Sunny Day - I think a different pose or angle would have helped you a lot!
4. Hopelle Losstoam
5. Stephen Fairbrook - I wish I could see your face more, I would have rated this much higher!
6. Tinsley Tr'uhart - Great idea, but the execution... =(
7. Nozomi Kei

Badump dump!

Don't forget about the ENTM get together on Monday!!! :D

1. Brun
2. Stephen
3. Sunny
4. Hopelle
5. Tinsley
6. Katarh
7. Nozomi

Bumping! Almost the last day to vote! \o/

Bu-bump-ish

Sorry i can't make the ENTM event on Coeurl ; n ; Just popping in for a quick vote and then i must sleep!

1. Stephen
2. Brun
3. Sunny
4. Hopelle
5. Tinsley
6. Nozomi
7. Katarh

Apologies for lack of crits, yet again. >.<

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bramble

Sorry i can't make the ENTM event on Coeurl ; n ;

---

Just real quick, the event has been postponed due to irl circumstances on Rongi's end, full details on the front page, but atm it may look like we'll be trying for either this coming Sunday or Monday. Just check the GD thread for the new time/date to be posted^^ Maybe you can make it then!

Yay! I'm back and I'ma try and vote when I can,I may or may not be descriptive like I use to be because lazy!
Nozomei - Bad ass all around! xD
Brun - "Join the G Team!"
Stephen - He reminds me Robin Hood and he's so cute. I dunno this was really really neat to me.
Hopelle - This is amazing. Showdown in the evening...if you had that one skill with flaming ball thing as WAR this woulda felt better to me!
Katarh - A little lost in this one...Perhaps as someone said, a little closer to your target, and I think the fact that it's daytime makes it harder to be an assassin.
Sunny - I wasn't sure what was going on to be honest. s: I think it's a lot of colour going around and not enough Garlenian enemies...Just that one in the back I barely noticed.
Tins - I'm sorry, but this wasn't executed well. I think if you had of faught them and used WHM holy or something while using the wings, it woulda been better...or maybe Divine Seal?

Sorry for quick stuff. Very tired.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Some great photos here!

1. Tinsley Tr'uhart
2. Sunny Day
3. Hopelle Losstoam
4. Stephen Fairbrook
5. Katarh Mest
6. Nozomi Kei
7. Brun Hilda

1. Tinsley Tr'uhart
2. Brun Hilda
3. Hopelle Losstoam
4. Katarh Mest
5. Stephen Fairbrook
6. Nozomi Kei
7. Sunny Day

Another great batch this week I think.

Brun Hilda
Stephen Fairbrook
Katarh Mest
Sunny Day
Tinsley Tr'uhart
Nozomi Kei
Hopelle Losstoam

Before I give my feedback I'd like to say that NONE of the shots this week were weak - everyone outdid themselves! Ordering them was a gruelling task, and I don't envy the judges one bit. I had to nitpick so much - I hope it doesn't come off too harsh D:


1. Stephen Fairbrook: This is the kind of shot that proves that you don't always have to have action to create an amazing picture. The composition tells the whole story, and the stillness is like a breath held before a great roar. You've picked the perfect weather for creating an ominous mood. I'm impressed with how close you managed to get the camera without cutting yourself off anywhere - your placement and body language is spot on. The high-tech bow matches the sci-fi feel of the Garlean structure in the distance. All I could have wished for was the Garleans themselves placed a bit better as not to leave the left bottom quarter of the frame so empty, but that's something out of your control.

2. Brun Hilda: I love pictures that tell stories, and this one sure does that. There's no mistaking who the star in the shot is - not even the glare of Magitek fire outshines you! Looking down at the viewer contemptuously, unafraid of the deadly weapon going off right next to you, a confident smirk at the idea of resistance... Even without the caption, I could imagine my own story to fit that picture. The lighting is good without being overpowering for a night shot, and the sky in the background is beautiful. What could have enhanced the image even more would have been if the Castrum had taken up a bit more space on that side of the frame to balance the left side a little better.

3. Sunny Day: I love the riot of colours in this shot so much - reds, blues, greens, purples! I like how it's zoomed in, how clear the lighting is on you, that you're poised for action, how close the enemy sneaking up behind you is. It's not easy to do when using skills, but what could have elevated this shot even further is being off-center; you on the left half with your gaze the way it is now, and the looming machine on the right. It could have made the shot tell a story on its own, without even needing a caption, and the composition a little cleaner.

4. Hopelle Losstoam: It's a nice battle shot and you caught a couple of really good Garlean poses there. Makes me happy to see them up close! I can feel the heat of Thanalan in that shot, with the low sun, the lens flare, and the fiery battle effect - but those things also make the cool blue of your armour clash slightly, rather than stand out. The background shows the harsh beauty of the area so well, but with your back to the camera it threatens to steal your thunder! Perhaps a face-camera with your body still angled that way could have given us a glimpse of your profile without spoiling the action?

5. Katarh Mest: You've really stepped it up this week technically, and I congratulate you! The off-centering is really nice, and it's easy to tell you're in a Garlean base. You're very far away from the spy's target though, with that wide, empty expanse of grass on the left, so I'm not getting a sense of danger. Also, the arc of the waymark on the ground feels a little off - doesn't ninja have any skill that could simulate the sudden appearance better? Or use a skill cast on you by a friend? Positives for me besides your positioning in the frame are how well lit you are and how clear the colours look - you're really good at that!

6. Tinsley Tr'uhart: Ahhh, such a beautiful picture, but I just don't see the theme in it as well as the other screenshots. I like the mid-movement pose since it gives a sense of action in the image, and the well-composed outfit that's both angelic and battle-ready. The lines of the wings and dangly pieces of the top make diagonals pointing at you and add to the feeling of motion in a still frame. Slightly dark and empty on the right, but overall a lovely aesthetic shot.

7. Nozomi Kei: You're quite clearly in a Garlean base, and a leader of them no less! First I'd like to say that I know how difficult it is to coordinate several people, and synch them no less! Boy, do I know... It's one thing to have them static and just do the action part yourself, or have one person emote - but several? You really took on a challenge, and I commend you for it. The weakness in this shot, to me, is the angle. You take up a good amount of space in the picture yourself, but there's more of the sky than there is of those great extras of yours. Perhaps if you'd turned it all around to face the other way, have your character on the ground and the extras on the stairs behind you, you could still have had the camera angled that way to keep the haughty feeling, but get a more balanced composition. Also, that helmet is hiding even the slightest hint that it's you standing there!

Judge Feedback and Rankings:

Adam's Feedback and Rankings:


Brun Hilda

This is absolutely my favourite shot out of the bunch this week. Everything about this shot is amazing; Pose, expression, costume, background, and all the other stuff! Amazing stuff, Brun. Keep it up! I really don't know what else to say about this shot. Take my lack of words to indicate that I am speechless, haha.

Hopelle Losstoam

Risking yourself by attempting a back shot a second time this cycle! Gorgeous effects, breath-taking background, and great coordination with the NPCs! I know it's tough coordinating with them since I've been there during in Cycle 3. However, if you look past the effects, you can see that the background is quite bland. The right side of the shot faces a similar problem. Regardless, the risk you pulled was worth it!

Sunny Day

This is a pretty great action shot, and wonderfully framed too. Effects are there and they don't overpower you. Well-coordinated with the NPCs. My only pet peeve would be that one soldier at the bottom left of the shot that's just standing there. Still, I'm loving this shot! As always, you never fail to impress.

Nozomi Kei

I applaud you for attempting this shot. Your costume is excellent, and the lighting makes the shot even better! Though, your extras in the background are using the wrong costume set. Background is slightly underwhelming with the sky being quite empty. Maybe panning the camera down a little bit would have worked better? Nonetheless, great shot!

Stephen Fairbrook

This shot is pretty cool! Pose, expression, and your costume are great! Background is so-so for me seeing as there is some negative space to the bottom left of the shot. However, the rest of the background is amazing!

Katarh Mest

Expression, pose, and costume are all spot on. The shot it framed quite well, however, your background is tad a bit too empty. Maybe you should have played around with the NPCs a little more to fit your description? Execution could have been better, but overall pretty good. I know you can do it!

Tinsley Tr'uhart

Pose and costume are excellent. The wings kind of take away focus from you albeit slightly. However, your background is very empty and does not blend well with your costume. I guess I can see the idea of contrast, but a few NPCs included in the shot would have made this a lot better.


Adeline's Feedback and Rankings:



Nozomi Kei – You continue you bedazzle me with your ideas and angles Nozomi (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧! The effort here is amazing, and I love your use of the dreadwyrm gear to outline yourself an important figure of the Garleans. I also really like the outfits you used for your soliders, as that particular hunting chest piece not everyone is going to have. I think though it would have been better to just of gone with the garlean soldier outfit :S still very creative!

Hopelle Losstoam – I love your idea/theme as well, and the power struggle you’re trying to convey to us ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ. You’re always one to takes risks, but I think your use of a back shot really works here. I love your setting, and those battle effects are wonderful. I also like how you’re off-center, and you yourself are still very noticeable among your extras/effects. Great job!

Sunny Day – This shot being the first out of bunch, I loved it right away. I love the color scheme, and your effects/battle pose are crazy (I SEE A BELLY BUTTON SQUEE (づ￣ ³￣)づ). I guess what knocked this down from being top 2 was that I find it a little messy. I notice that there is a cord reaching out to you, and I’m not sure if you planned that (still looks cool though). Also I find your hands in the air to be a bit funny xD Good job though!

Brun Hilda – This is a well-constructed shot, and I love your use of extras, and you yourself are very cool looking with those glasses ♥‿♥ I also like how you’re off center. I guess the thing that threw me off this round was how every feels very…black I guess. Because of that, I find your background a bit boring I guess? Because of it, I feel like your one extra is even being faded out a bit cuz of it, and the garlean castle in the back. Otherwise I really like this shot! You guys are make it so hard to narrow this down :S

Stephen Fairbrook – I like that you zoomed in a lot more compared to your other shot, and find this concept a good one for a lalafell of such a short stature. Really, I love this shot~ even though it’s a bit grey, the foggy weather really gives the viewer pleasing and terrifying look into your struggle of trying to not be caught. I really wish I could of ranked you higher, this is so tough now! Mainly had to do since the 4 above used more difficult scenarios 〴⋋_⋌〵

Katarh Mest – Hmm this is a cool shot, and I like the story behind it, but I find the pose incredibly common these days since many ninjas use it for their screenies, and I find you being out in the open like you are a bit odd, especially if you’re supposed to be stealthy (∩︵∩). I think it would have been a better concept to have been a lot closer, and less suspicious. Also I’m not sure what’s up with the A sign :S you’re making yourself an even bigger target xD! I also find the npcs very awkward in the back with their motions…

Tinsley Tr’uhart - o(╥﹏╥)o Dammit this is a really cool shot, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just not Garlean at all. The wing effects are really cool, but it’s so hard to find anything Garlean about it, other than your description. I see no mobs, and the wings are so bright that they darken the background (also I’m guessing you took this shot at night as well…a super dark part of night.) While I like how you placed your wings as well, I’ve just seen a lot of blm casting in my days to not be amazed by it anymore. I really hate to place you down so low, but I need to give credit to others that followed the theme and did alot with extras. Sorry ._.




Flare's Feedback and Rankings:



Brun - The execution of this shot is spot on! I'm loving the subtle detail of the Magitek armor right beside you about to shot, your pose doesn't looked posey at all. You filled up the dead space with the building there. Pretty much my favorite shot this week! Awesome job!

Stephen - The simplicity of this shot makes me love it! Less is more makes this shot stand out more than the rest. We can focus on you and your actions but at the same time understand your story and enjoy that background.

Nozomi - It was a toss up between you and Katarh, but I enjoyed your concept a little bit more. You took a different approach then everyone else, I actually enjoy your outfit and think it fits well with your concept and overall photo. I like you created your own Garlean character as well. My only nit pick, the shot would have benefited greatly if it were centered more. Less of that ugly wall.

Katarh - I do love your concept! Using the marker to act like a teleport beam was brilliant. Your lighting for me makes the picture pop and your background vibrant. It would have been cool to see your target before you strike BUT leaves the mind wondering whats going to happen next.

Sunny - I enjoyed the background and the pose.This is a great shot with lots of vibrant colors and is the most colorful in the whole bunch. Its a great battle shot. Your glamour looks a bit out of place, like you threw something together last minute. Less puff pants and probably a basic MNK weapon would have worked better.

Hopelle - Another good battle shot. Concept wise, I felt others did better. If the whole picture was off centered more where we could see the fortress, this shot would have been higher up for me. I also feel like the effect consumes the picture a tad and takes away from the picture as a whole.

Tinsley - The wings are of course flawless. The outfit works well with it, and I like the dark background. What takes all that away from me is that pose. BLM has so awesome battle poses while casting but this one doesn't work for the intended concept. I think this shot would have benefited better as a WHM. The purple glow of the staff doesn't match well with the outfit or wings.


Sakuraya's Feedback and Rankings:



Stephen
I love this idea, and it's like you're a sniper ready to take your shot. Good lighting on you, and it was smart to wear a color that pops against the darkness of that wall - plus I know I can't see your whole face, but I can still read that scowl that you're wearing - someone isn't very happy at the moment. The background is interesting and you can tell you're in a Castrum, the part of it that might come of plain, you're occupying which totally voids that out. Seeing that you're an archer, it makes sense that they are father away - yet one is still close enough you can pretty much see their detail. The only critique that I have, which is more so just a nitpick is you might have poped a bit more without the hat or the hat a different color... but other than that I really don't have much to complain about. Great job!

Brun
Hey, you got me ready to join and get my free magiteck! This is a very nice picture, and your fair skin makes you stand out really nice in this - actually I kinda wish you didn't have the visor on so we could see more of your features in this picture. Great use of extras - and for a moment I was wondering if the magiteck mount has a spotlight, but no this is just really really good timing with the firing option, which is an awesome effect! The Castrum building on the right gives the eye something very nice to look at, but the sky does seem a little empty. But overall, great job!

Nozomi
What can I say - I really love this because you are one of (what two?) that went with something I did not expect! Forget the Warriors of Light, Join the Dark Side! This was a very clever use of gear to make you look like an up and coming Garlean Lord ready to be the next to take over and try to destroy all that would stand in your way! Do I, and maybe it's just me, even read a bit of a smirk there? Perfect for and evil genius, and a nice group of extras you got there! While it is a bit off center, I could almost let that slide because I love the theme so much - but I do think it would have read better centered for this idea. Other than that, great job!

Sunny
I actually like this picture, I like how you pop out from all the dark colors and crazy weather effect around it. You're the first thing I see. I also see your idea in your picture - you just finished beating up one, and here comes another machine from behind really to give you another good fight. Only critique would be: Maybe a little more light on you, it seem like the side away from the camera is better lit than your front. Also I wish the machine were a bit more in the picture, while I did notice it because I've been there a lot recently, it could blend into the background easily if one isn't really paying much mind to it. Good job!

Hopelle
I love the layout of this image and you really fill the whole frame very nicely. You have the interest of battle, combined with the setting sun and Ul'dah peaking out in the Horizon. I get the concept completely, and you did a good job of getting it across. My critique would be that the effect really distracts me, it cuts you off at the waist and everything above seems washed out - plus it distorts a lot of the battling going on. If the effect had been a bit less pronounced I would have liked it better but it's a nice battle shot!

Tinsley
This is a lovely concept and the all white outfit made you stand out, you look like a pure angel in battle ready to strike down any that would stand against you. But the background is very plain, there is really no interest and I can't really tell you're in a Castrum due to the wings obstructing the area that reads Castrum. The pose is very nice, and you get a very good view of your character - but as I said you look ready for a skirmish, but I see no danger around you. I wish there had been some enemies in the shot to give it danger - but even if the background seems non-existent, you fill it up well with your character. Lovely Shot!

Katarh
You did really good lighting in this picture I get the whole idea that you're dressed up like them to spy, and assassinate some of their followers. That said, I'm not sure about the light behind you - I get that it's supposed to be this flash of light (I hope I'm right -) but to me it really seems out of place - and as a spy I feel it would draw attention to you, which isn't what one would want to do. Also I understand you're going for the assassin look, but I wish there were some Garlean's closer to you. You're dressed like them, you should have taken a risk with the mobs because they would never know until the last minute, heehee! Though it does have a nice background everything is so far away that it just comes off feeling very empty. Nice shot!


_______________________________________

THE SCORES:

410 Brun Hilda
333 Nozomi Kei
329 Stephen Fairbrook
291 Hopelle Losstoam
277 Sunny Day
183 Katarh Mest
136 Tinsley Tr'uhart