Good morning, ghouls. It is time for your evaluation.
You recall our judges:
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loginYour critique, in alphabetical order:
Abbey:
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loginJanice: Not your strongest, I'm afraid... I understand orange is an incredibly difficult color to work with, though. A lot of photos this week would have benefited from incorporating the theme color onto the model somehow, though you do at least have the orange squares in the background to pull it together. Good job on putting yourself front and center! The pony may have the superhero mask, but if this were a comic book cover there'd be no doubt you were the star.
Tyra: Damn, girl, you’ve got hair down to your @ss! Maybe even farther! And it’s so sparkly! I love the sparkly. Gotta have the sparkly. *Nigel coughs and he receives a frown in return*. It’s a cute pic – you look happy, the pony looks super happy. The background coloring is lively and fun, but you’re dressed real dark for a toy shoot. A model can pull anything off though, so color shouldn’t be a limitation. You’re giving us lots of leg (always a good thing) but I think you could have gone even crazier with this and really given that pony a ride to remember.
Nigel: You command that pony like it's no one's business! Am I the only one loving the use of pigtails for this shoot? LOVE! PURE LOVE! It really matches the playful carefree vibe and runs with it! I think I may have liked to see a bit more color with the outfit, but it really makes you pop in front of that colorful background and matches you to the pony so well. Your pose is a little static for me, very straight and not much going on other than your arm seeming to flail. Curves ghoul, I know you got em.
Geppetto: Turning your pony pal into a chair – clever! I like the colors going on, sorta like seeing a gothic chic trapped in Candyland. Like Nigel, I would have liked to see a little more to your pose. This was your chance to go totally crazy riding that pony!
Aria:
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loginJanice: Where did you go?? You seem to be disappearing into your background this week, my dear! The mood you've set with the baby ponies is very sweet though and I love that dress! I would have loved to see slightly more contrast and maybe less saturation, even if it means drawing less attention to those striking eyes.
Tyra: Aesthetically speaking, you nailed it. The photo pulls you in, is engaging, and shows off the toys in a commercial yet artistic way. You don’t take attention away from the toys, and they don’t take it away from you – there’s a good balance. While you photograph beautifully, in general I’d love to see you a little more active in your shoots - three out of four weeks you’ve been in some sort of reclining position. But that’s just food for thought. You did a wonderful job, Aria. Keep it up, girl!
Nigel: Aria? Are you feeling quite alright? You look pale and listless and ... flat ... very unlike you. Are the ponies holding you back? I am in love with you take on Megan though, even the Rainbow of Light heart pendant is present, the details are ever present with you as always, bringing so many layers to the image ... but while the entire scene is spectacular, you nearly invisible yourself ghoul and it breaks my heart.
Geppetto: Fairyland, here I come! THIS is the land of sugar, spice, and everything nice. This could totally be a toy advertisement in a national magazine. The product placement is swell – not too structured, not too random. I particularly like that little piggy in the foreground. Where did you get him? As for you, Aria, you look adorable. The ribbon was a nice touch. Pink and yellow are your colors, babe.
Cupid:
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loginJanice: Smoldering as always. I love how fierce you are, but don't be a one trick pony! (Ha, I made a funny). Those baby blues really bring your color theme together, but I can't help feeling that the almost Gothic fashion style feels out of place. The lighting is stunning though, and shows off how fantastic ALL of your hair is.
Tyra: Girl, you smiled with your eyes! You’ve shown us Cupid’s naughty side, her crazy side, and her passionate side. This would definitely be her “I am queen of the Nile; worship me” side. You look super fabulous, and your corgi is trained so well! But if this was a toy advertisement, the client would not be happy because you’ve stolen all the attention, leaving little (if any) for ol’ Green and Blue Heavyhooves. Oh, and girl, hook me up with your hair and makeup guy! I need a weave that slick!
Nigel: *buries his face in his hands* ... all the cuteness ... I can't take it! The corgi's, the pigtails, the brute strength of the Big Brother ponies ... THEY GOT ME TYRA! STRAIGHT TO MY STONY HEART! In all seriousness though, nice work! The use of your lace pattern through the eyelets of the boots, is a small, but appreciated detail. And how the lace pattern works perfectly with the crackled pattern top of your dress, which is FANTASTIC ghoul! The balance of the colors is spot on as well, the blue in the upper right and lower left, the cool/creamy swath through the middle and your vibrant pop of blazing, take-no-prisoners-red/pink. *kisses finger tips* Beautiful! Your pose might could be considered a little dull ... but a princess being carried has only one pose ... relaxed dignity, grace, and most of all ... balance.
Geppetto: So this is what Cleopatra would look like if she were painted white and sported a pink wig! The intensity in your eyes is amazing, too. Ponies? What ponies? My eyes are centered on you and they ain’t strayin’!
Jordan:
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loginJanice: Ha! Now, here's a theme for vivid pink hair if ever I saw one. Your shoot was bright, colourful and visually interesting, even though socks with sandals ordinarily makes me want to cringe. You’re the sparkling candy center of one radical, Chinese iPad cover of a photoshoot.
Tyra: You and Abbey had a similar idea for this week’s shoot. You know what they say in Model Land – great models think alike! The purple sparkles lure me in, and the glowing stones, mini unicorns hopping around, and that ice cream cone that looks good enough to eat keep me there. The poor pony you’re sitting on is a bit dull in comparison…hope she doesn’t feel left out. I lovvvve the happy expression on your face, and your hair simply glows. I know you’re trying to sell me something, but I’m not sure exactly what as there is so much happening in this photo.
Nigel: JPop America Fun Time Now! You are totally channeling it ghoul! Playful, fun, crazy, non-sensical! You don't NEED anything in your hand, that's part of the magic, it could be ANYTHING! You seem to be saying "Hey ... it happens." What happens, I don't know, but it does. All it's missing is some crazy socks ... bright, colorful, zig-zaggy, polka-dotted socks. A minor annoyance for sure. *chuckles*
Geppetto: There is soooo much going on here, dude, but somehow you work it out. Honest to god, it reminds me of some crazy Japanese advertisement. It's bright, it's crazy, it's in your face. Your outfit is a cool mishmash, and you're giving us lots of leg. My only criticism - I'm not too sure what your right hand is gesturing to? If you had been holding a miniature ice cream cone, I think everything would have come together for me!
Kalma:
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loginJanice: I admire your ability to look elegant and polished in every shoot, whether you're taking advantage of a pinup opportunity or posing with sweet pink ponies. Work it!! I'm a bit worried that you seem to be taking last week's critique to heart and playing it way too safe though. Last week may have been focusing more on the models than the background, but this week was all about having fun with the props! I would have loved to see more of that playful side... like what we saw in your hilarious mock entries!
Tyra: This is totally sweet. I want to buy that dress AND I want that pony, so you’re definitely doing your job. I feel like I’m getting a glimpse of Marie Guillonette on her downtime in the Palace of Versailles, playin’ with the ponies while outside the peasants demand her soul! It’s a lovely photo. You are always so put together in your shoots. One day I’d like to see you totally down and dirty – crazy hair, limbs modeling it out to the extreme, yadda yadda. But until that day comes, I’m content with soaking up all your regality.
Nigel: Sweets for the sweets! I LOVE the delicately crossed legs, the tiny sweet cake, the timidity of the pony and your pose that highlights the stock-still nature needed to lure her out to eat from your dainty hand. My only complaint will be your arm resting on the back of the couch, it looks fairly uninteresting right now, a subtle shift to follow the curvature of the reclining chair would have added more interest and highlighted it more. Your skirt is positively scrumptious!
Geppetto: Talk about pretty in pink! You've managed to lure that shy lil Cupcake out, but it's you who steals the show. You look bright and alert, and your hair is in perfect place. Love the crossed legs, and that dress is surely handmade! Did you do it yourself? Although, I would have liked to see your left arm making use of the arm rest behind you - it would've added another dimension to the photograph. Another job well done!
Lilitha:
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loginJanice: You've come a long way, baby! This photo is pretty and demure but still fun with the zebra-print backdrop. I only wish you and your pony friend were making eye contact - it looks as if you're both looking up at something, almost. Still, you've improved a lot and I feel as if your picture tells a story.
Tyra: You were in the bottom two the first week, but since then you keep improving, and improving, and improving. This is your best shot yet. This reminds me of myself when I was a little monster playing with my voodoo and crocodile dolls. This photo triggers an emotional reaction – my heart feels all warm and fuzzy. Amazing work, Lil. I think you could have brightened things up a little bit, maybe adjusting your fill light or highlights. Other than that, flawless.
Nigel: ZEBRA! MY ONE T RUE WEAKNESS! *falls off chair, slowly clambers back up* High contrast line break ... it is so very hard to go wrong with zebra for a playful fun vibe. You clearly love that pony ghoul! The darling way you hold it, the intense, perfectly matched eye contact ... I can hear you singing the MLP Theme and making her prance before you. LOOKIT THOSE LEGS! Unbeknownst to most ghouls, dots and stripes go perfectly well together when they aren't battling for supremacy against each other, just the right touch of dots to break up the stripes. You look FABULOUS!
Geppetto: Looking through your film, you gave us a lot to work with this week. On the couch, on the floor, different ponies. But when Tyra showed me this photo, I was floored. You managed to capture this youthful, playful energy with the baby pony. There is a whole story there, and yet you don't compromise the model in you - you're giving us tons of leg at all the right angles, your skirt and top fit perfectly, and your hair falls into place just right. The eye contact between you and your little friend is spot on. I see this photo and feel emotion. Splendid!
Nanami:
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loginJanice: I wish you'd just asked girl, because I totally would have lent you a yellow dress. This composition is really great, but I can't help feeling that you stick out a bit too much. The purple pony with the yellow hair really helps somewhat, but I think a yellow dress, accessory... even a hairclip would have helped here.
Tyra: Nobody can deny how pretty you look her, but I feel as if your model is getting lost in a sea of ponies. You’re purely relying on your face here – and a beautiful face at that – but your legs are totally lost. This was the chance to show off those gorgeous gams, girl! You definitely embraced the color yellow for this round, and that one purple pony mixes things up perfectly.
Nigel: So many wonderful pictures! But ... a sea of ponies and the only one who can navigate it? A gorgeous sea monster who almost blends in and becomes one with them. Beautiful! The play of colors, the purples with the yellows, and including a purple pony that accentuates YOU is a killer touch! The sweep of the hair makes the illusion of waves and you floating among them. The only thing I find a touch distracting is the "floating hand" to your right ... a little more visibility of the arm would have helped eliminate the "disembodied hand" vibe I get. You must be part sea pony though ... your face beguiles me more and more saying "pony" ...
Geppetto: You look real pretty here, and I like that you stuck with the theme of purple and yellow. It’s real eye catching. The photo could have been a tiny bit brighter though – then all that color would have really POPPED!
Operetta:
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loginJanice: What are you two looking at? I think you really went above and beyond with the body language this week. It looks like you two are stargazing or watching the clouds. I know some of my fellow judges will wonder why you're laying on brick, but geez! Don't they know what grass does to a good hairdo???
Tyra: This is your first shot where I see the real Operetta. There’s an undeniable connection between you and Glory. There’s a story here, and you fit it perfectly. But the brick? Damn, girl, that’s gotta hurt! Next time pull out a soft blanket, fluff a pillow, and get comfortable on the grass. You and Glory draw me in totally, but your setting – that hard, uninviting brick – it makes me shudder.
Nigel: Plotting constellations. Tracing comets. Discussing black hole theorems ... I can see it all! But bricks, my stoney back kills me just looking at it, then again, good friends make everything better. I am dying to see you get out there and use more exotic backdrops, a blanket on the grass, an intriguing tree limb shot, a fence top, trellace. EXPAND MY DEAR! But the dynamics of your pose, both arms used, one to grasp your dearest pony friend the other to wave to the majesty of the night sky, the angle of the shot to assist BOTH of your upward glances ... keen! I need to call my guarryman for a spinal adjustment though ... ow. Does show the tenacity to do ANYTHING for a shot though. I like that. *winks*
Geppetto: This would make a great advertisement for some sort of star-gazing organization. You look like a real caring big sister here, Operetta, and little Glory looks eager to learn what you're trying to explain to her. Maybe you're trying to show her where the star inscribed on her hip came from? That said, I think the theme could have had more of an impact if you were both lying on the grass or reclining on a blanket. Lying on bricks to watch the stars just ain’t right!
Percie:
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loginJanice: Hello, Kitty! What a fun and playful wardrobe style in this photo! I can't help it though, I guess I've always just been a cat person. Your right leg looks uncomfortable though, and I'm not really sure what's going on with your tail; it's a bit... droopy, I guess? Or are you trying to tempt one of your kitty friends to play with it? I hope a cat fight doesn't start as a result!
Tyra: More pigtails! Y’all copyin’ my style! You look sweet as pie, Perc. Your clothes are cool and funky, very kid-like and hip. But your right leg worries me. Instead of seeing it from straight on, try bending it at an angle like the left leg (or skewed in the opposite direction for a mirror image). A few loops in your tail would have softened things up too. Overall, well done.
Nigel: *hums* How much is that corgi in the lower left? The one with the waggely tail? ruff ruff! *other judges just look at him* I happen to adore my corgi-worgies! Fiercely playful pose! I'm not sure how it works, but you nailed it! Watch your lines and edges, your right leg is too stiff and tense, a bend would have done it wonders, a nice S-curve would be nice, but a playful bend to the opposite side would have lent to the playful a touch more. Pigtails are adorable, remember the stylists though, they have a brush to help tame flyaways, but when you're busy playing with pretties, who has time? And the tail dearie-cat, it's a big asset if used correctly, but can also be a distraction if not kept in control, don't forget to pose it too.
Geppetto: Which toy are you selling? Oh, it doesn't matter! I want them ALL!!!! The pigtails definitely go with the kiddie theme, so props to that! The toys you're selling are so bright and colorful, so it might have been nice to see a background matching that vibrancy. As a toy designer, I know firsthand just how important product placement is, and many of the animals in your set are upside down, on their side, their faces away from the camera, etc. While that’s OK here and there for the ‘avalanche’ effect, I want to see more of the toys, more of what you’re trying to sell me. P.S. I know you’re going for a sweet little kitten theme here, but you’re looking hot as hell from where I’m sittin’!
Rhonda:
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loginJanice: Girl, you are BRINGING it! And I'm not just saying that because you remind me of myself. Everything about this exudes model quality. Too bad the world must be deprived of those gams; the only fullbody shot we had of you this week had your legs twisted something awful! Ouch! Better call an orthopedic surgeon... and pass his number on to me, while you're at it. Ha!
Tyra: You’re so serene here, gently stroking Sunbeam’s chin. But that sort of gesture might work better selling expensive jewelry instead of toy horses. I really like the polka dots, and girl, that dress is couture all the way. But looking through your film, only one of your photos included a full body shot. You had the MOST AMAZING sparkly red shoes in that shot, but your right leg was a bit crooked and your shoe was facing a direction that would make a zombie cringe! I wish I had seen more leg (and those shoes) in your best shot.
Nigel: Blue with green can NEVER fail! I adore the intimacy of the close up shots dearie, but you've got a cute dress, and long lovely legs to show off ... and the shoes ... why hide their perfection? SHOW OFF A LITTLE MORE! Take care where things are pointing, one shot looks almost as if the pony of your affections is going to gore you. You captured a fun loving vibe to perfection with the colorful props and a playful but not too distracting background and successfully managed to keep the attention on you.
Geppetto: Babe, you totally embraced your color this week! Blue, blue, blue! That dress is killer, and props for applying face makeup - it shows how much you really wanted to get into the playful theme going on. There's a very calm sweetness in your face, and I wish I had had the brains to design that little doll; I bet she'd sell like crazy! Overall, you killed it in the cuteness department.
Good luck, everyone! You did a fabulous job! May the best ghoul win!
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