Eorzea's Next Top Model - Cycle 4 Round 3

[Wings]

1. Brun Hilda: This is my favourite shot in the contest so far. I love your facial expression, the depth of perspective the circle of the five bombs creates, how the lighting hits the metal, how your white outfit contrasts with the grimy Kobold area and makes you pop - every detail down to the visible tread under your boot! It's the kind of image that even without a caption tells a story. The critique I could give is that the background isn't very interesting, but the main focus of the shot more than makes up for it.

2. Nozomi Kei: I'm not too sure about the bulky glove with the rest of your outfit, it feels a little mismatched, and the light from the fire while setting a cosy mood that I enjoy, makes everything a very uniform shade. What I love is that you're really taking part in the scene. Cradled in the arms of an Amalj'aa, there's a story being told here. Slight off-centering could have made the shot even MORE dynamic, but I like it the way it is too!

3. Stephen Fairbrook: Another picture where the model is part of the scene! Your emote and positioning with the NPC's is really good, teasing the imagination with a story that could stand on its own even without a caption. The outfit helps take the illusion even further. I do wish the shot had been a bit tighter! Don't be afraid to get close and cut things off at the edge of the frame, now and then.

4. Katarh Mest: I like how you stand out, that even without the sun directly on your face my eyes are drawn to it, how your positioning is discreetly off center and the zoom tight. The angle of your arm together with the balloons create a smaller frame within the frame, encircling the Ixal. The downside in my eyes is that you're not really taking part in the scene, so for me the others score higher.

5. Tinsley Tr'uhart: I was a little torn on this one... I love the tranquil feeling in this image, with your back to the camera, only your profiled face showing, and the arc of the water line, and I can definitely tell that you're in the Sahagin camp. I usually like off-centering, but the left side is just so empty. Even the Sahagin themselves are on the right side of the mid-line. What won me over was the mood you created.

6. Epsil Ion: You have great lighting as always, and it's a well balanced and framed shot. The colours and shadows - like the one from your leg closest to the fire - are beautiful. My critique is that you look misplaced in the scene. The Amalj'aa behind you seem calm, while you're alert as if for a fight. It's a pretty shot, but I wish there was more substance to it!

7. Hopelle Losstoam: The lighting in this picture is very natural and peaceful, and I like how one of the Amalj'aa is very close to the camera to help create depth. You, on the other hand, are very small and with your colouring being so similar to your surroundings, you get a little lost in the scene. Listening to the music helps, but it's not enough to overtake the others in my eyes.

8. Sunny Day: You were my favourite last round, but this time you've missed the mark for this voter! You pop with the bright lighting, but a little too much, and there's nothing around you to balance it. There's a huge dark empty space on the left side of the shot, and barely enough of the Amalj'aa visible to tell it's in their camp. Perhaps a different location in the camp would have worked better? I will say one thing, though... Eye-candy!!!

9. Alexion Skylark: The sky is pretty, the lighting excellent, and you're well placed in the image height-wise. The issue I have is that it's not much more than a portrait of you. The Sahagin are so small I can barely tell you're in their camp. I wish you had gotten closer to them, maybe have them take up one half of the image while you dominate the other? Off-centering might have made the picture more interesting. I hope you experiment even more with your next screenshot!

[Tyriont]

Note: Adam was unavailable this week, so you get scores and critiques from your beloved Cap'n in his place.

Judge Feedback and Rankings:

Tyriont's Feedback and Rankings:


Brun Hilda

I absolutely loved this shot the moment I saw it. The framing is wonderful, the bombs decorate the shot without overpowering anything and it really looks as if the Kobold is pulling the "second hand car salesman" bit to try and get you to buy the bomb chair. My only critique is that the side of the chair does cut his "face" off a tiny bit, but honestly that's me clawing for something to find to improve. Stellar work.

Nozomi Kei

We saw a large amount of shots in this camp, but yours is the one that stood out to me the most. I love shots that tell a story and here, I'm seeing a background of an Elezen abandoned as a child and raised with the tribe, truly one of their own - the almost parental way he is poking the fire over you really sells it. My only real critique is that I think it'd be better if you were looking at the same thing - he's looking almost dead into the camera while you're staring off to the side. If you were either looking at him, or looking in the same direction to be focused on the fire, that'd add some unity to it. But all around brilliantly done - and very good use of the lighting!

Stephen Fairbrook

Again, a shot that clearly tells a story. You integrated yourself flawlessly, to the point where I wouldn't be surprised if you were actually an NPC out there! You used your extras well and still managed to make yourself the focal point. You've been showing some wonderful work this Cycle and I'm keen to see what you turn out in the future rounds.

Hopelle Losstoam

Your framing is very well done and you're definitely using the background to your advantage. By choosing to stand in front of the one area of the backdrop that is well lit, you manage to somewhat overcome the fact that you're very dark-toned in a dark shot - though you do still get a little swallowed up. Perhaps a little more lighting coming from the direction of the fire would have helped. I do like your choice to stand though - had you been sitting to fit in better, you would have been dwarfed by the much larger other characters in this shot. Well done!

Tinsly Tr'uhart

We finally get to my lads the Sahagin! I like the balance of this shot, which has a nice duality between light and dark. The one thing that takes me out of the shot (and I remember mentioning this a lot to models in Cycle 3) is that lighting yourself is all well and good, but in a dark shot like this I'd like to see some indication of what the light source IS. I don't know where it would be coming from and as such, it makes you stand out very starkly with no reason as to why. I do want to stress how well assembled this shot is though, and your positioning of the Sahagin was very well thought out.

Sunny Day

My feedback for you is very, very similar to what I just said in regard to Tinsley's shot. With so much darkness around I'm finding it hard to envision where that huge light is coming from. I do want to give you recognition though for the fact that you managed to pose with your extra in such a way that they don't really draw attention away from you, which is an easy trap to fall into with a shot like this. I also want to point out your framing which was beautifully done, with very dark areas on each side pulling into the gap in the cavern giving a glimpse of outside.

Katarh Mest

Hey, it's the mandatory postcard shot! Come visit the Nine! It's a cute shot, but while there's nothing really -wrong- with it there's not a lot to make it stand out either. You turn out very good work, my suggestion for future would be to try and do something really unique with your shots to make them stand apart from the crowd. You've got a lot of talent and I want to see you really stretch yourself - I think you'll really excel if you do!

Alexion Skylark

This is a very nice portrait-style shot of you and you balanced things well between the setting sun and the buildings in the back. My biggest issue is that I feel the outfit you chose is very jarring for the setting - it doesn't seem to fit at all. I understand going for the story you referenced in the comments, but the shot doesn't really sell it and without the caption I would have had no idea. If you'd focused more on the Sahagin, perhaps posing in such a way that you're truly observing them like a gentleman explorer, it would have worked better.

Epsil Ion

Your trademark mastery of lighting is in full effect here, displaying a perfect example of what I said above to the others regarding showing where the light is coming from. My problem is that your choice of pose and outfit really makes very little sense to me. The goggles are particularly jarring given the scene with a tribe that isn't making use of technology. Preparing for a battle while the NPCs are just hanging out by the fire really separates you from the scene as well. Very pretty shot, but the setting is too contradictory for me to push it up.



Adeline's Feedback and Rankings:



Nozomi Kei – Dang, this is a really well constructed shot, and I love the backstory you give us here. The lighting is quite exquisite, and I love your positioning. I’m not usually a fan of center shots, but this one works well. Even though you’re the first shot, after browsing through them all, I find yours to be the clear winner in my book. GJ!

Brun Hilda – Wow you really stepped it up this week again! The npc interaction here is great, and so cute. You really took advantage of how sexy Roe ladies can be with their Kobold mounts, love it! Love your expression too. Both you and Nozomi also proved to me that center shots can be really awesome, keep up the good work!

Stephen Fairbrook – Ah Stephen you did much better this week! I really love the npc placement here, and how well constructed the shot is. It’s also super cute idea! The downfall for me compared to others that attempted npc coordination, yours is a bit zoomed out. Always take care with zooming too much out, it can really hurt a shot. Great job otherwise though!

Hopelle Losstoam – Ah, an attempt to give us a Cosmo Canyon feel, I like it! I like the npc interaction here, but I feel you took more advantage of the Npc burning his stick, rather than you interacting a bit more with emotes and what not. The shot is a bit zoomed out as well, and my eyes notice the tribe more than you. I’m also a little thrown off with the bikini top, I feel the light blue doesn’t really represent the tribe colors all too well, but then again it’s very hard to find tops that may of done better. Gj none the less!

Sunny Day- ahahah this is hilarious, and I love the outfits you chose. Eorzean chip’n’dales xD! Perfect for who-wait I better not say the next word lol. I like how you stand out from your friend, even though he’s taller. I guess I wished you guys interacted a bit more with the tribe you’re trying to ‘entertain’. I had to knock you down cuz of that GJ though, I still like this shot a lot! /swoons

Alexion Skylark – This is a really pretty shot. I think you had to try very hard to get the perfect lighting, so super props for that! I also find the use of a center shot a good way to tell us your story. I do find the concept a bit lazy compared to other’s that incorporated npcs into their shots though, so had to knock you down sorry .

Tinsley Tr’uhart – This shot is very pretty, and accentuates your features, if you know what I mean ^.~ I also like that you changed your hair color, looks good on you! With that, I don’t really get the story here of the npcs your using. I used those same npcs for my beastman ambassador shot during cycle 3, and they’re more attentive to the fish they’re trying to catch then watching you xD Sorry, but that’s just me nitpicking! Angle wise I love that you’re off center, and I like the lighting.

Katarh Mest- This is a pretty cute shot, and I like your enthusiasm, and the lighting is very nice as well. My biggest huff with this shot is that Stephen chose the same tribe, but took it to another level with his npc interaction, and his shot is just quite a bit more complex than yours .I do like the angle of the shot though!

Epsil Ion – I like your outfit and the idea you have going on here, I just think it could have been better executed, and perhaps placed in a better area. I think there could have been a lot better usage of npc coordination here too :S, they’re just kinda chillen’ while you’re about to pounce something. Also I think it would of helped to be a bit zoomed in, as there is a lot of negative space behind you.



Flare's Feedback and Rankings:



Hopelle - This is simply beautiful! I feel like I need to be there right now enjoying the campfire and the lovely night. The slight tilt of your body brings a bit of mystery to your character. It feels and looks like you belong with the Amalj'aa, perhaps discussing war strategy or maybe peace. This is one of those pictures that tells a powerful story. Also reminds me of an official XIV screenshot!

Stephen - Being the token lala, you have the ability to create cute and funny pictures with little effort and you succeeded! The angle of the camera is just right for this type of shot. Your extras are a good distance away from you while the focus is still directed to you. I'm guessing you used the sun minion to brighten up the shot, which btw looks like is coming from the lamp on the ground. Very nicely done.

Nozomi - While the brightness of the fire seems like its slightly taking over the photo, it works in a good way. I love the fire animation in the foreground, your slight scowl helps tell the story you are creating. The fire brings a warmness to the picture and helps radiate your face, making it pop. I love photos that focus more on the subject at hand then relaying on the background to help sell the picture. You and your extra definitely sold the photo!

Brun - Kudos for using this NPC the way you did. It looks like your in a swing and he's "swinging" you. This is another picture where you sell the photo with the extra and we forget all about the background. I didn't think I'd like the outfit, but it actually works with the picture. Helps you stand out.

Tinsley - If this were for a beach theme, it would have been my #1 vote. While there were stronger concepts appropriate for the theme, this one does deliver in a different way. I would have loved to have seem a bit more interaction with the sahagin, but this is still a stunning photo.

Katarh - Hey Stephen, I found the other high quality isolator component. But looks like it's in Katarh's ship..... SO just steal hers since it's almost done. This is such a fun shot to look at. Makes me feel excited for you that all your hard work it almost complete. I do like that you are in the forefront celebrating while your poor friend is still slaving away! Much like Tinsley's I would have liked to see more interaction with the tribe itself. However, with that you were going for it probably wouldn't have worked well.

Sunny - I assume your the one without the mask? While I do like you took the time to match, looking just like your extra besides a few changes can be confusing to look at. While I am drawn to you, your extra is ready to upstage you. His look and pose are much more interesting then yours. I love the background, but fear you have a lot of dead space around.

Alexion - This is a concept where your background is much more interesting. I get what you were portraying, but it leaves me wanting MORE!!! GIVE ME MORE!!! Maybe a shot interacting with the beastmen. For the baron, I will say your outfit is spot on. With a pose to help pull the outfit off.

Epsil - This was a tough one. It reminds me a lot of your beastmen shot from cycle 3. While it's a nice concept, it looks more like your a guard for hire instead of hunting prey. I'm left feeling like I need more again. Your character looks wonderful! I think it would have looked better with the 2nd weapons pose.



Sakuraya's Feedback and Rankings:



I am having to nitpick more and more - in general, make sure your picture give the feel of your description. I find at times that if it wasn't for the little blurb, I would not have guessed what was being thought.

Brun Hilda
I love everything about this picture, very good use of the rule of thirds and good lighting. It really tells a story, and the look you're giving him is 'if this doesn't work I'm coming back for you'. The bombs look like they are patiently waiting for the Kobold to get done so they can go back to their job! Love this and you get my number one this week!

Stephen Fairbrook
This picture is great, good lighting and I love the composition as well. Once again, a very good use of the rule of thirds - and it really does tell a great story! You might be a bit back, not front and center like others, but you still stand out yet at the same time look like you honestly belong there. A thumbs up from me, keep up the good work!

Nozomi Kei
This is really good, and the way you have it framed works very nicely - especially since it seems you took this image yourself. I do wish that the Amalj'aa stood out a bit more, seeing he does blend into the image a bit - at the same time you seem a little over lit due to your place near the fire - but that said, it's a very well composed image. Good job!

Sunny Day
This is a nice picture, and I love how you have another model in it with you - but their face is covered so you are the center of attention. Maybe if it had been a little closer - or you had stood a bit closer to the archway to connect with the outside a bit more, that could help with the dead space on the left hand side. Though this is a show I wouldn't mind seeing, and the heart on the pants just makes me smile - seeing what you're trying to project. Good job!

Katarh Mest
This picture has great lighting, you really stand out and pop! The colors you are wearing help with this and not only compliment you, but make the eye totally focus on you. That said - I wish there had been more interaction with the airship so the idea behind this came off the way you described it. Without the commentary to give me a hint - it just reads as standing there being very happy - and comes off a bit forgettable.

Tinsley Tr'uhart
I love 50% of this image - you walking along the beach with the lighting in the water and the Sahagin in the background. A lot of people are doing back shots this cycle, and while risky, it seems to be paying off for many in the past week. The other 50% seems like you forgot about it - and I wish that there was more going on over there to give interest - if there has been this would have been much higher on my list because you look lovely.

Alexion Skylark
You look great, the lighting is very nice and I can see where you're going with the outfit with the description that you gave. Other than that - the background seems to have been forgotten. I wish that the Sahagin had been closer - or maybe one where you are making contact to add to the story. Overall, not bad, but not memorable either.

Hopelle Losstoam
It took me a minute to find you in this shot - you might have blended in a lot with the background if not for the top. This is a very beautiful picture, very interesting to the eye and a lovely night shot as well - but I do wish you stood out more in the frame, because you are so lovely - a bit closer to the camera might have helped a lot.

Epsil Ion
This is a great background - and I love the composition as well. Everywhere you look there is something interesting going on and that's great. But it just doesn't feel like you belong in the scene, it feels very disconnected and doesn't seem to be a fluid story. The pose you have a great, but it does seem to obscure your face a lot - and I wish there was more interaction within the frame.


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THE SCORES:

429 Brun Hilda
412 Nozomi Kei
377 Stephen Fairbrook
307 Hopelle Losstoam
257 Sunny Day
242 Tinsley Tr'uhart
186 Katarh Mest
135 Alexion Skylark
85 Epsil Ion