Post by Janice Dickinson on Dec 8, 2013 5:39:03 GMT -5
This week we had an East Versus West Elements round, where the bottom person from each group was put up for elimination. Unfortunately, since one team did not submit, it made it pointless. So, let's make this short and sweet.
Balding Brutes:
Eastern Fire
Aang:
Balding Brutes:
Eastern Fire
Aang:
Janice: It would appear this photoshoot was made for you, Aang. Fire is in full view here, but I think it draws the attention away from you. The Monk robes make this picture work on a spiritual level, and helps bring it over to the Eastern side.
Morgan: Although this photo has made an obvious theme connection, I'm a sucker for descriptions - it would have been great to have one to give the judges further insight into a potential story behind the photo and other symbolism that we might not infer. You look strong and in control here, it looks as if you are the force behind the flames. A great artistic feel is evident in this shot, however be sure that the detail in your body and modelling doesn't get compensated, you always want to be the focus of the shot.
Noel: While I normally enjoy descriptions, too, this photo needs no description. The presence of fire is obvious and it's a striking shot. I am having a scale issue, though. You're so small in the shot that it's hard to get much modeling or fashion value in this shot and those tend to be two categories out of four that the judges score on each round. We do still get some in each category, but being able to see you better would have made this shot stronger than it already is.
Bomb Squad:
Eastern Wood:
Han:
Janice: Overall, this picture falls into the category of plain for me. The overall atmosphere of the picture tells me it's summer, rather than spring, as you suggested. You look like a tree in this picture, so I'll give you that. And also the fashion is flawless.Eastern Wood:
Han:
Morgan: Your description is a saviour, without it the photo would have little to no connection to the theme in my eyes. I enjoy the fashion and its connection to a figure which represents wood. The textures of the tree and building look to represent the bumpy, hard, flaky, earth like qualities of wood. Modelling wise you have an intriguing gaze and your simple pose is effective, it adds twists and turns to your body. However even with a sound description, this photo is a bit of a stretch to completely match the theme. Morgan appreciates the dedicated effort.
Noel: As Janice has already said, this photo comes off a bit plain. The placement of your arms normally suggest a stronger attitude than we're getting from you here. The setting's also a bit plain, too. I do really like your dress, though. I oddly feel a stronger connection to your element through your dress than through the background or anything else in the shot.
Coven:
Western Fire:
Medusa:
Western Fire:
Medusa:
Janice: I had to have a real close look at this picture to make sure those were not nipples. Luckily, they appear to be nipple shields of some sort, so I'll let that pass. For me, your description is really what makes this picture work for me. Without it, I may have been rather confused and not made the connection of fire meaning transformation. I really like how frightened she looks here to, because often fire is uncontrollable. It works well for me.
Morgan: Great description, I can now see a new element of unpredictability in your shot as well as noticing other intricate details in the photo that connect to the theme. As Janice mentioned, your facial expression is a winner you look scared and yet transfixed on the intense things happening around you. I also enjoy the fact that YOU appear to be the fire, and the thought of your inherent unpredictability is causing chaos around you. A powerful and intriguing photo. Also just as a side note, Morgan doesn't mind a 'nip-slip' every now and then. If one of those nipple shields were to fall off, everything would be just okay.
Noel: I loved the initial wow factor of the shot and we get great emotion from you, so this really comes down to whether you've met the theme well enough or not. The description really makes this shot since you didn't take the literal route. We get all of what you've said about the Wiccan beliefs in fire and transformation. You've met the theme well with a stunning shot, so I have nothing negative to say here.
Team Curious:
Western Aether:
Alice:
Western Aether:
Alice:
Janice: For me, this picture reads too much as air or wind, even with your description. The petals, the doves and the action all work into this factor. I'm really struggling to see anything to do with aether here. Aether is more heavenly, or even space-like. For me, this picture is just too windy.
Morgan: This photo looks to fairytale like, princessy, the world is a beautiful magical place. Whereas when I think of Aether I think of mystery, the great questions of human existence. You as a model look beautiful, wide eyed and excited about your surroundings a great anime shot overall. Perhaps with a more fantasy like environment and injection of some more meaningful symbolism this photo could have passed as a snapshot of the heavens.
Morgan: Yeah, I'm having a hard time connecting this shot fully to the theme. However, I do think it's a very pretty shot with a lot to look at. Under the right circumstances, a real wow shot. At least we get to see that you have the potential to really deliver strong shots with this model even if we didn't get what we were looking for this round.
Heart Attack:
Western Air/Wind:
Sui:
Janice: Like a blizzard, you personify wind so well. This picture is stunning. It's flawless. I love the fashion, I love the face. It's executed perfectly. Great job once again!
Morgan: You are on fire! Well no actually you are swimming in wind but you get the drift (oh the puns), this is amazing. You look completely absorbed in the moment, the environment and the feelings you are experiencing. The fashion is complementary and very suiting to help capture the theme. Your skin looks white and snow almost manikin like, but I'm not complaining there's not one bit of this photo I would change.
Noel: While the background suggests wintertime and thus ice/water element, that's just the background. You, your pose, the windblown effect, all of it easily tells us you're portraying a wind element. I like the action and movement in this shot and your face is oddly fitting, for me. A description would have been nice here, but wasn't necessary since it was still easy to see your element.
Team MAY:
Eastern Metal
Freja:
Eastern Metal
Freja:
Janice: The one striking thing for me about this picture is that impeccable fashion. That metal dress is to die for. I also like the bits of snow, and the fire. Because of it's relation to the planet Venus, also known as Metal Star (金星), where it's so hot, it "snows" molten metal. Unfortunately, I can't judge you on my connection, but still, I like it.
Morgan: Next time use your description not only as a medium to share your thought processes with the judges but also to give more life to your photo, tell us what's going on and the connections you see.
Fashion is clearly the star of this photo, and it actually looks like your dress is comprised of individual metal stars! As I'm not as involved in astrology and don't possess the extent of knowledge that Janice has about the planets, I wouldn't have seen the photos connection to Venus if Janice hadn't critiqued before me. I don't really see a connection to metal in the environment, this where I would like to see your reasoning. Your facial expression is complimenting the theme however, giving us a strong, steel gaze to mesmerise the viewer.
Noel: I have to echo the other judges and say the fashion here is impeccable. I absolutely love your dress and you're styled perfectly to go with it. I feel a little disconnect between you and the background, but the background is completely unimportant to me and my eyes are so drawn to me, I don't even pay attention to the rest of it. The dress alone meets the standard of theme content we'll see from several models, but you also have a bit of a steely look on your face. I'm a fan of this shot. Have more faith in yourself
Team Pisces:
Eastern Earth:
Jensen:
Eastern Earth:
Jensen:
Janice: I see the Earth, but I'm not entirely sold on the picture. It comes off as quite plain and unremarkable to me. I was sort of hoping for something... Perhaps a bit more vibrant from you. I'm not entirely feeling it this time.
Morgan: As IRL Morgan is currently watching Supernatural, I know Jensen has more in him than this. I see emotion here, a sense of harmony due to the pure nature in the shot and absence of colour. But overall this shot is definitely missing a wow factor and a strong connection to the theme. Don't hide your model in the grass next time, I want to see him shine.
Noel: Yeah, I feel like this is an instance of theme being completely there, but at the expense of the modeling quality. You still look dreamy and I would lay out there with you any day, but it still lacks impact. It's a nice shot that fits the theme and will keep you safe.
SWAT Team:
DNS
DNS
Team TestosterOWNED:
Eastern Water:
Ryan:
Janice: Because water is associated with black, I can understand your choice of using a black and white picture. I like how you've noted the black ocean. Coming to Ryan himself, I'm not entirely sold on him. His eyes are intense, but I don't think the rest of him matches up to it. However, you have nothing to worry about.Eastern Water:
Ryan:
Morgan: Dedication to research is evident in your description which is great to see. I now have a renewed appreciation for how this photo is symbolic to water. I enjoy the overall execution of this photo, it makes sense and looks visually appealing, but it hits the safe mark for me rather than being memorable or exciting. Ryan looks manly and yet vulnerable in this photo which gives an interesting edge to his modelling. However this is the second front on shoulders up photo of Ryan so be careful of that.
Noel: Ryan Kwanten all wet? You know me too well.
I like that you touched based on both literal and abstract interpretations of your photo rather than focusing on just one; it works as a black and white shot because of it. Yeah, it's not the most memorable of shots, but it's a really solid shot that fits the theme perfectly.Team XY:
Western Water:
Leonardo:
Janice: For me, what makes this picture work is the environment, but not Leo. I find Leo to be quite ordinary here. I might've preferred maybe a larger picture, just so I can see his face a bit more clearly. The face seems to be your selling point of the meaning of Water.Western Water:
Leonardo:
Morgan: I agree with Janice in that the environment has an obvious connection to water, it looks serene, adaptable and very picturesque. In that sense this photo has incorporated the theme. However the modelling is a lack lustre. Seeing Leo interact with the environment more and allowing the viewer with a clear view of Leo's face would increase the modelling factor as well as the symbolism. The foundation is there, but Leo needs to get off his butt and show us the money.
Noel: I'm not a fan of the lack of polish in this shot. It's something I've really gotten on lately and it's the difference between a high quality modeling shot and just a staged photo. This is more of a staged photo, to me. That said, the theme is clearly present both in the literal and interpretive manners, so you have the theme covered without a problem. I just want a bit more from the modeling side.
