OFFICIAL Eorzea's Next Top Model Discussion Thread

[Kuraran]

Buhu, Judge Yomi can't wait for Round 2 to come up to see all the pictures taken ;_;

[EorzeasNTM]

, especially if you're not marking with a criteria.

Thank you for your concern! I will definitely bring this up in the Judge's Skype conversation and see if we can't convince those judges to reword their critiques and make sure to add constructive criticism in the future. ^^

As for the criteria, the judges are looking at the model's outfit, background choice, and the model's over all concept idea/feel of the picture (both stand alone and how it correlates with the theme)!

Speaking of Skype, you guys should all email Tyriont your skype names so he can add you to a group chat and you can chat there with each other! I'll be sad to see this thread die though, so please come back here every once in a while! (We are almost to page 200!!!!)

We really need to plan our Thanksgiving Party for the end of this month! Since nearly half of us are on Balmung, I beg the rest of you to make an alt on Balmung for the day and come hang out with us. ((Our server is CONSTANTLY on character creation restriction though, so you will need to make an alt at 5am Central time...its the only time ive ever been able to make an alt. ><))

We can plan some in game games of some sort with maybe itunes cards as prizes or, if any artists are out there we can offer drawings over our characters or something! Would love to hear what yall think! ^^

November 30th would be the absolute best day for this event for me personally since I wouldn't have work or school that day.

[AdamFyi]

Freedom! I was already expecting it, so it doesn't make me as sad. Though, I do think I deserved the boot; I was panicking with all the shots I took trying to find one I liked personally (I get like this with these sorts of contests). Though, it doesn't seem like most liked it as much as I did which I can understand, since it has a personal meaning to it. But it seems I misunderstood the theme because of the description. (Those reviews though - Ouch).

Ah, don't worry! I'm glad to be able to relax and take the time exploring 2.4, and those reviews made me realise what I missed. I'll still watch the contest and see how it goes, and maybe continue to upload my pictures here - just that I won't be as involved.

[Sadana]

It seems I am quite polarising with the judges, which is cool! It really is quite subjective I guess, especially if you're not marking with a criteria. Reading through the critiques everyone received (and considering how people felt last cycle about tone and language, plus the fact that everyone involved is doing this for fun) could we perhaps aim to use positive language when offering feedback?

Hm... I'm a personal fan of being everyone's cheerleader (this is how I run my FC), but this contest is modeled after a tv show in which the judges DON'T hold back. :/ It may be a good idea, for future rounds, to make real clear that unpleasant critiques are gonna happen. >< Or at least post something like:

HARSH JUDGE: Are you even in the picture? That NPC looks nice though.
KIND JUDGE: You have nice eyes.

Totally exaggerating of course... xD But the idea is to have the contestants know their feels may be hurt throughout the event. I know it's obvious to some folks, but I think many know logically that harsh criticism will happen, but don't fully understand it emotionally until they find themselves about to be cut. ><

Some of the critiques remind me of the "crystal in the background" photoshoot. It's soooo subjective as to how much of the theme counts as "enough". :/ No clue how you would work around this except by posting very clear rules (like 'must be in uniform') which starts removing some of the creativity and artistic interpretation factor.

[AdamFyi]

No clue how you would work around this except by posting very clear rules (like 'must be in uniform') which starts removing some of the creativity and artistic interpretation factor.

I'm kind of curious about this part. I mean, I didn't think that it was required to be in uniform. I assumed it meant that as long as it looks like you're flame whether it be a low-ranking officer or a high-ranking one, that it doesn't matter. Just something that's bugging me.

[Tyriont]

I'm kind of curious about this part. I mean, I didn't think that it was required to be in uniform. I assumed it meant that as long as it looks like you're flame whether it be a low-ranking officer or a high-ranking one, that it doesn't matter. Just something that's bugging me.

It's true that it wasn't required to be in uniform - and some very high scoring shots weren't! With a contest like this, it's all very subjective and down to the personal preference of who is looking at the image, be they judge or public voter. I tried to avoid "THE CRYSTALS" with my shot list this time around and I feel that the rest are vague enough to where it should be fairly easy to fit the theme regardless of what you do, with one possible exception.

Also, Adam...don't go thinking you're free -just- yet. Two male models failed to get me their round 2 shots before the cutoff...meaning they'll be eliminated by default, giving you another crack at things!

Lastly, please remember that this level of judge critique is new to ENTM. We'll certainly be watching and taking feedback! Constructive criticism has already been stressed, however it is quite easy to fall into the role of "The Simon" in a contest like this! I'll do a better job myself of requesting feedback be edited before posting if needs be - this round, I wanted to post them "as is" to see what the reaction was.

[Amenian]

snip

I totally agree with this. I know my girlfriend's primary reason for joining this contest was to becoming better at her art by subjecting it to criticism. If judge's are holding back to avoid hurt feelings they're doing the contestants a disservice. I personally believe that people with thin skin shouldn't be joining a contest like this where they are subjecting their work to criticism if they're not prepared for the negative critiques. Leave the Ra Ra stuff to the primary schools.

[AdamFyi]

I tried to avoid "THE CRYSTALS" with my shot list this time around and I feel that the rest are vague enough to where it should be fairly easy to fit the theme regardless of what you do, with one possible exception.

Oh, I was just a little curious. Hence why I asked you about the whole "example shot" a while back before. Different people, different perspectives and takes; which I applaud this is present in your judging and contest! Nothing against you or anyone, I was just mildly curious about it is a-

Also, Adam...don't go thinking you're free -just- yet.

Goddammit.

[Wings]

What a thing to wake up to O.O Thanks for the comments, critique, and congratulations! Can hardly believe I nabbed first place!

I owe everything to my Phoenix friends, though, who took time out of their 2.4 excitement to help me out, then put up with my bossiness: "You, closer to the centre, a little bit more, a little bit mooore... You there, half a step forward - no that's too far! You, turn to point out of the picture, then look over your shoulder into the shot..." and so on XD It took a long time to get everyone in position, and I didn't want them to have to stand there for two Eorzean days (weather prediction said bad weather next time around T_T), that's why the shot is so dark. I *did* have options, and maybe I should have gone with those, I was just so happy with how my "NPC's" turned out, that I wasn't exactly objective XD

Prime time lighting, but everyone wasn't there yet! And the fact that I couldn't find a dye that perfectly matches the Flames' uniform one is glaringly apparent. Also, her finger blends a bit with the handle of the background weapon.



One more person had arrived, and the dimmer lighting makes the colours a little more similar.

It was such a tough choice!

My thanks to Ai Pearca, Lauralanthalasa Kanan, Punchy Potato, Valerius Aldaine, Ceallachan Dragonsoul, and Thinalia Kaya - you guys are awesome ♥


I guess I can show some of my outtakes now too XD A lot of skills were attempted, with effects on and off, and I found that a tail is sometimes a bit of a hindrance:

Flying shield, anyone?

And speaking of panty shots:

Quite the balancing act, getting the action stance without shortening the finger too much, tail placement, and the red skirt not to peek out at the bottom

After the group shot was done, we had some fun with effects!

Something that didn't always show people's best side

[Amenian]

snip

Oh, I wish your friends had showed up for the prime time one. I much prefer that one. I liked your shot but didn't vote for you as I felt it was too dark, especially with your skin tone.