Eorzea's Next Top Model YOUTUBE Edition - Episode 1 (Fan Voting)

[Maleha]

So, I will vote as well. However, I’ll start off with my in no particular order vote and then include my commentary on ALL of your shots (in order as they are in the album), cause you all deserve some feedback :3
I included myself in my top 7 because honestly, I am worth it (no I do not use L’oreal – I use Herbal Essences) and that has been proven by not only the judges but many voters (who I would like to thank very much for doing so \o/).

Doki
Masha
Mini Ninja
Twilight Dove
Terrini
Iris
Dragon Lily


Doki – You deserve the top spot the judges gave you. I think I said in chat already that I don’t really have a good feel for taking good symmetric shots so this one blows me away. This nitpick came to mind at really close observation: Ifrit is a bit off center, creating some empty space on the right side. The Yagrrrrush and effect detract from in, but it does bring slight imbalance. That doesn’t detract from the good shot that this is though. (Psst, originally my interview named Mini Ninja AND you as my strongest competitors, but I chose only one because I thought we had to, like with past models… maybe I was wrong…)

Dragon Lily – A perfectly timed parry! The effects aren’t too prominent, which is good, because at this zoom it could have distracted from you. Not so sure about your outfit, but I always find the metal bikini an odd choice in serious fights. You captured Ifrit very well though, he looks really dynamic and this is definitely one of the shots where he looks the coolest.

Eldaena – In start contrast to Dragon Lily, we cannot see much of Ifrit here, overall the colours are rather cold (not sure I think a judge might have commented on that?). You are also quite washed out, even though the light colour draw the eye to your character. What threw me off the most though is your pose, you are turned away both from ifrit and the camera. In your case I might have gone with fully facing the camera, almost going for a reverse from Doki’s shot.

Flutterborn – I like this one. You and ifrit are very face to face, and it gives it this immediacy with you midswing. However, looking at the picture longer, I noticed how my eye is specifically drawn to the right side. Yes, part of his bosy is in the left, but it still feels a bit empty… maybe it’s because of his pose leaving a lotof space open on the ground.

Gangly – Honestly I really found this interesting. I think those words I even said in my reaction video. XD Somehow I saw an optical illusion, of you having a completely different pose. It looked like you were half turned, twisting out of your turn to hit Ifrit. It’s not so, but still, for me it makes this interesting. Now the obvious things, cut off Ifrit’s head is not so good – he is in essence your extra and his head should be fully featured. And the empty space on the right. I cannot really tell in your picture, but locking him as target would put you more off center and possibly solve the empty space issue (fun fact, neither can one tell in mine if I did lock on… but I did :P)

Iris – An anomaly in that it’s one of the few shots where Ifrit’s target is NOT the camera. You make it work though, the Slash effect is placed perfectly. And you filled the frame nicely. I have to disagree with one of the judges though: personally I think your glamour makes you blend in a bit with Ifrit. I would have chosen a more contrasting colour here.

Koriander – Another anomaly in that you covered Ifrit’s face perfectly! XD Sorry. Just like with Gangly though, I felt in this shot Ifrit was our extra, so obscuring him is not in your favour. I like the dynamic nature of the shot though, you with the book, just finishing the spell and your fairy at your side… wait a moment, that hat is black! You are a Summoner here, or am I seeing things? XD props to you for that fairy still, it makes for an excellent battle illusion.

Marik – It’s a bit funny how your shot was right before mine…which is fire centric. Your effect obscures Ifrit a tad, but not too much and the icy dust helps get a feeling in the picture none other has in this round. Standing out is always a plus in a competition with 13 other people! However, you also have a similar issue like Eldaena, in that I think you get a bit washed out with the effect and light glamour colouring. I wish you were a bit more centered in front of Ifrit as well. His claws are cut off in the left, but there is quite a bit of empty space on the right.

Masha – I actually finished all other comments before tackling myself. >.< I don’t know how it was for the others, but I recorded footage and had no idea if I actually had something to show for after subjecting my companions to 30-40 minutes of random faffing about. This is the final image I got from all that footage and it immediately blew all previous ones away. I loved the lighting, it made everything so vibrant and Ifrit was beautifully in view and I was centered, but leaning a bit into the left, it felt perfect. I have spent about every 2nd day since before handing in my final portfolio staring at my pictures, trying to find flaws. It was hard for this one. What I could nitpick is the dark sky feeling a bit empty. Just imagine having the Eclipse in that spot! …I might photoshop that for my personal enjoyment. Bottom of the line, I think this is one of my best shots period and I am proud of it making 2nd place.

Mini Ninja – I said you took scary good pictures and I stand by that. After staring a while, is that explosion an eruption effect? That’s some good timing with it and your shieldlob. I just really like the overall composition in this. Maybe, maaaybe if the camera was shifted a hunch to the right, not quite cutting off Ifrit’s horn, it could have gotten this over the top. Still, definitely one of my favourites this round.

Rina – I like the movement in your picture, much like Gangly and Flutterborn it feels very visceral. Your colouring makes you pop against the darker background.I think a bit more zoom might have helped… and maybe different pants, covering the legs for less awkwardness. Upskirt shot >.<

Ruki – I have a few of this moment on my outtakes. It’s a great idea, but with the hellfire and your own effect so much is obscured, part of the picture is even pure white from so much light :/ And ifrit’s head is gone >.< You did manage to fill the picture nicely though and the eclipse is a nice touch. Anyone else notice Ruki’s the only one with the eclipse? O.o

Terrini – Being a tiny Lala has the advantage that Ifrit’s aim is off! Haha, just kidding, I think it’s a great shot. You filled the frame nicely and dynamically, wiiith the mentioned exception of the bottom right, I have to agree with the judges there, your carbuncle might have worked better a bit closer to the camera, or not mid jump.

Twilight Dove – Another, very dynamic shot! Though your glamour is red, similar to Iris, the light spark manages to draw attention to you, as well as the fact that we see more of his brownish body parts and less of his red. I wish you could have shifted the camera a bit more left, to show your sword fully and to lessen the emptyish space on the right.

[Aiyalia]

Rina – I like the movement in your picture, much like Gangly and Flutterborn it feels very visceral. Your colouring males you pop against the darker background.I think a bit more zoom might have helped… and maybe different pants, covering the legs for less awkwardness. Upskirt shot >.<

My character was wearing shorts. =P

I kept her outfit as such BECAUSE it was Ifrit's Cauldron. An inferno. I think covering her up more would be uncomfortable. =P

[Rikkustrife]

Dragon Lily - the fire looks really nice, lights you up and the way your silver armor glows is really awesome , got a good shot of Ifrit as well
Eldaena - that is a unique effect not really seen before , and it looks really nice, it lights your character up, and is a very good shot despite Ifrit being dark and difficult to see
Flutterborn - this suits her personality quite well, when someone wants to harm someone else, she gets into a rage and will face anything, Ifrit looks imposing but that doesn't deter her
Iris - despite being small you still get in there and show you are not afraid of him, looks like you pushed his head away from you with your sword
Koriander - the lack of effects makes your character stand out, the shadows on your clothes and the book look cool, the fact that you are not afraid to face the giant Ifrit which just a book is great
Masha - the fire lightens everything very well and Ifrit looks most like the fire god that he is in this shot
Twilight Dove - this is what being a female Roegadyn is all about, throwing out bodies into battle, our bodies are pure muscle and anything they hit will feel it, we can take anything any one throws at us

[PapaSteel]

Alright, here we go!

Dragon Lily - The best action show of the bunch by a mile!
Terrini - The seriousness of her stance and attire is unparallelled, and the way Terri's dark clothes contrast the flames draws the eye to her and makes her the star.
Doki - Such poise! Such majesty! Truly, here is a lalafell to not be trifled with!
Koriander - To laugh in the face of danger! The kind of Top Model Eorzea needs - the kind that can tell a flawless image when she sees one.
Twilight Dove - Is there anything sexier than a Femroe who don't take no shit? Expecting great things, keep that personality shining through!
Mini Ninja - The metal leggings really catch the eye to your stance, and you just know a split second later he's taking a snap kick across his jaw.
Ruki - Unlike the judges, I love the feeling of epic-ness in this shot. My only complaint here is that the tank facing him away from you detracts from the overall effect - it doesn't feel like YOU're really the one fighting.

[Rikkustrife]

Alright, here we go!

Twilight Dove - Is there anything sexier than a highlander woman who don't take no shit? Expecting great things, keep that personality shining through!

Twilight Dove is a roegadyn

[PapaSteel]

I'm the worst!

[Qandisa]

Koriander
Flutterborn
Doki
Masha
Mini Ninja
Twilight Dove
Terrini

[Koriander]

I am making my choices without looking at who anyone else voted for.... that way I won't be swayed by anyone else's opinion.

So, in no particular order:
1. Masha
2. Flutterborn
3. Dragon Lily
4. Doki
5. Iris
6. Terrini
7. Koriander

[KenjiEiji]

Not sure why its 7, I honestly only liked a few of them. Some of them are kinda blur or even washed out. Others look like they did not invest time into a real battle shot. with that said.. I'll post the 7 top ones.

1. Dragon Lily
2. Flutterborn
3. Masha
4. Twilight Dove
5. Iris
6. Mini Ninja
7. Rina

See you all for round 2.

[Terrini]

I'll just repost my votes I guess since everyone else is doing it now and the selfishness comment seems moot. SO, I will quote one of my favourite movies "I know I promised Lord, but I know that you know what a weak willed person I am." - Matthew Broderick as Phillipe the Mouse in LadyHawke.

So once again I will say these are my favourite pictures of the round that I think all have good composition and use of lighting and effects. In alphabetical order:

Doki
Dragon Lily
Iris
Masha
Mini Ninja
Terrini
Twilight Dove