Last episode, we saw the models become gift-wrapped into super sexy, cool, fun gifts, but unfortunately, NotNicky333's gift was returned. This episode, the models were off 🎈Floating 🎈away. Dimitra is finally putting them into crazy stunts, for which they thankfully signed waivers. Before giving my unwanted critiques, let's see how my placement predictions compared to the actual placements from Episode 1.
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
📊STATS📊: Official Placements and I Initially Ranked Them
1st: Lequisha: My Placement: 1st: ✅
2nd: Fancy: My Placement: 11th: ❌ (Off by 10 Placements)
3rd: Marilise: My Placement: 2nd ❌ (Off by 1 Placement)
4th: Antog: My Placement: 13th ❌ (Off by 9 Placements)
5th: Melanie: My Placement: 4th ❌ (Off by 1 Placement)
6th: Marquis: My Placement: 15th ❌ (Off by 9 Placements)
7th: Guilty: My Placement: 14th ❌ (Off by 7 Placements)
8th: Zee: My Placement: 7th ❌ (Off by 1 Placement)
9th: Space: My Placement: 6th ❌ (Off by 3 Placements)
10th: Cupid: My Placement: 16th ❌ (Off by 6 Placements)
11th: Miranda: My Placement: 8th ❌ (Off by 3 Placements)
12th: Amanda: My Placement: 5th ❌ (Off by 7 Placements)
13th: Firefly: My Placement: 12th ❌ (Off by 1 Placement)
14th: Tjamal: My Placement: 3rd ❌ (Off by 11 Placements)
15th: Vanili: My Placement: 9th ❌ (Off by 6 Placements)
16th: Manon: My Placement: 10th ❌ (Off by 6 Placements)
17th: Nicky: My Placement: 17th✅
Correct Placements: 2/17
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
📸Critiques 📸
Prompt: 🎈Floating 🎈: Create the illusion of floating using balloons as the main elements of your image. Whether you are being lifted, suspended, or drifting through the scene, your photo should feel light, surreal, and fashion-forward.
How I View This: Mainly, I'm looking for a photo that shows you getting lifted by balloons, but it is weightless, like some Mary Poppins magic. Defy the Gravity. You should still be the center, though. Since we still have 58 Models left, no fancy scoring, but we are getting there.
MissMiranda: (Last Round Placement: 11th) I love the story this photo tells. It's giving "mom and dad, I hate you. Why won't you let me date (insert someone here)? I'm leaving, and you both are not cute." So you grab your balloons and yeet out there". Ok, now back to you. I'm not a fan of the outfit and the balloon rope. Something with the texture is very off. The dots give off a weird spider-web vibe and kind of clash a bit. I wish you had more of a flowy gown OR, if you want a breezy outfit, tulle could be an option. Continuing with the texture details, your hair is giving off those mini waffle treats I love to eat, but I don't want to eat your hair. I love the hair and how it flows, but the texture is off, and the gloss on you. It is giving you got downsed with setting spray. I think maybe less shine on the forehead and the lower legs would help with that. The big thing is those bumps on your right knee. It is giving spider-eggs, which, ironically, this whole attire is giving a different version of Spider-Person, which I would support, but the execution needs to be fixed. With all that said, I do love the pose, especially the legs. I think the hand close to your face could do something else, OR, if you were keeping it like that, have some flashier nails. With all of that being said, I think the concept and everything that you had is good, but the details of the textures (especially the hair, which I'm now seeing going from one type to another, and the knee throw things off, and the long line of shine of the line seems a bit unrealistic). I can see the vision, though.
tjamal9106: (Last Round Placement: 13th)Last time I gave you good critiques, and you were at the bottom, so if I give you horrible critiques, maybe you are at the top??? But I like this photo, and I would check the judges' critiques, but I'm already in a typing spree. What I like about this is how you create a great illusion of floating. Even though you are, it is just a bit off the ground; we can see that you are about to float away, and you are asking the person you are looking at, "want to fly with me?" or some romantic shit. The highest-fashion magazine I have read was TV Guide, but I feel like this would be in there, like an ad, which is what magazines include, right??? WTF are they used for? Scratch and sniffs? Tangent aside, I love the outfit and the lighting fits well. Maybe a bigger earring in the jewelry section, but that is me being picky. I don't see anything that stands out badly (and I'm not zooming in; someone else can do that). I think this is a great photo, and I hope the judges see that too. If they don't, well, I will read it to understand. Great job!
Manon: (Last Round Placement: 16th)This is interesting. I'm guessing you are saying you are a piece of art since you are a museum. Rather interesting background for this, but let's keep going. I like the outfit; it kind of gives like something you would tie onto a group of balloons if you wanted to add more than a ribbon to it, which if we are going with the vision of being in an a musuem and you being part of the "art" then I think that is smart "if not then let's ignore it, but I still like the outfit LOL". I think the pose of you and the balloons in the air are off. You are in one direction, and the balloons are in another direction. I may have gotten a C in Physics in High School, but I don't think that is where one would be if being pulled that way. I like the pose, so maybe if the balloons were pushed to the right side (or left; again, I got a C, but I don't think straight up would be the best), it would be better for the illusion. Going back to the scenery, I like the choice; it is different, but I'm not sure how I feel about the balloons on the floor. From how I'm seeing it, the part with your right foot and the balloon makes it look like you took a separate picture and then that image was posted as the background, when it shouldn't be (we are pretending in this simulation game... I think it is). I think maybe moving the body a bit and removing the balloons (and replacing them with better tile or benches in the background) would help show the person looking at it that you are front and center in this room when they enter. Finally, the pose is nice (I think I said that, but I didn't then), but the face I would like is you looking at the camera, with more of a reaction that you were getting pulled by the balloon. Like you are in the air, OMG what do you do? Your face doesn't match those vibes. I know this is about the model most of the time, but you also have to wear the hat of other things that happen in a shoot (which is something everyone should be aware of; you are just the lucky one who got in their posting). Besides that, I think this is a good photo, but I know better ones will be happening.
Vanili: (Last Round Placement: 15th)
Oh, I love the atmosphere of this photo. From the sky, to the outfit and how it fits the aesthetic, the dust under you, and even how you are carried off. A story is being told of you are getting drifted away by the wind. With that being said, I may love what is happening; the execution wasn't a strike (I couldn't think of, like, outside-the-box nature puns). The biggest thing for me is your face. I hope this is not a repeating pattern with other photos in this round, but there is no reaction in what is happening. Maybe I'm thinking a bit too literally for this, and if that is the case, I apologize (and anyone else who gets that critique). But you are being swept away, and I'm getting bored. You can't rely on being pretty all the time. Having emotions is needed. It's like being pretty but having a dull personality. You don't want that, and it will make you fade in the background. I love the dust underneath your feet to add another layer to what is going on, but I do wish the dust were in front of it. I understand why you would have it behind you to see your legs and such, but I think that would enhance the realism, especially for a theme like this. The only other thing, which the judges may not consider (and, at the end of the day, it's their choice), is the balloon direction. Everything is going left, but the balloons are going right. It doesn't match. Shouldn't the balloons be going left too? Again, I probably sound like an annoying ass for mentioning these little things that may or may not matter, but they stood out to me. Some people focus on high fashion; I care about great details (this isn't a detail, but I want to match). Besides that, I really like this, and again, I love this outfit.
Zee_ (Last Round Placement: 8th)
This is really good, and I think you took a bold risk with such a big shadow you have because there was plenty of room for error in it being something different than the actual image...and maybe there is and I missed it, but your big fancy dress could have covered it. But I really like that element. With the other things, the overall pose is nice; it seems that you are being swooned or carried off away, which would be okay with your eyes being closed. The only things that raise some concerns is the balloon placement. They just seem to be there. They don't look like they are doing their job. Yes I can see them connected to your body and outfit, but maybe show parts of the outfit being lifted too? You have this long gorgeous gown that could have that back piece lifted. Your leg is if listed, so that could be too in the illusion, because if we removed the balloons and the rope that holds them, it would just look like an elegant pose after a weird jump. Even the placements of the straps would look like bracelets or leg accessories, so I wish you paired them a bit better. Love the photo, but in terms of meeting the prompt, that did miss a bit of the mark, and that is the big focus here.
Amandasings04: (Last Round Placement: 12th)
This is a fun image. I love the scenery, outfit, and all of those elements. You look well, and I see you have matching shoes (which I missed too). Here is my issue, though, and I think it is a wording thing. The prompt was asking about being lifted, suspended, etc. So clearly you are in the air, and depending on the context, you might still be in the air. I mention this because when I look at your photo, it looks more like you are landing, WHICH technically you would need to float to have a safe fall to help sweet precious Polar Bear Sings to safety, but how will the judges see it? You just love to stir the photo pot. With that being said, if you tilted you, Polar Bear Sings, and the balloons a bit to the right on the angle, it would look like you are being drifted, which I would think would like a bit better in whatever mission you are doing because we all know you are doing this to earn money for that next vacation. I also wish you did something with your face, and I mean, like had a smirk or something. I say this, love, but you are a character, and I think you would do well in this department, so if the judges mention that (cause again, these are my thoughts and I'm not giving you points), just remember that. But I do appreciate how out-of-the-box you think for your concepts, which makes me excited each round to see what tricks you will pull out of your Jessica Simpson purse.
Marilise: (Last Round Placement: 3rd)
The colors in this I adore. This is the type of dress I mentioned Miranda should have worn for their photo. I think tulle is a great choice for a flying, airy fabric. You look enchanted in this look and I wished you had a better background for it. The one you selected does make you pop out more, but I feel like a bright sunny day or a garden one would serve it much better (in my opinion). Plus, if you compare the two chandeliers, the tips are different. One is a crown-like type while the other is a triangular cone type. I know they are blurred, but it was a bit of a distraction (the blur too). Your face looks great, and the reaction is nice. Maybe look directly at the camera cause that part did look a bit off to me (I did have my screens split when typing this, but I did move my body center to double-check), and I noticed a pose that a lot of people have done, which is fine, but I think the bottom foot should be pointed down more. The prompt said the photo should "feel light," and if your foot was lighter in this sense, so dangling, but controlled, aka less stiff. It would showcase that lightness, which is usually the opposite in poses, but this is a special occasion. Overall, good job!
Marquis: (Last Round Placement 7th)
First, I want to say I love the flow of the fabric. I don't think I've pointed this out to a lot of people, but making sure the direction of the movement is clear is important, and you did great on that. I wish the gold had a stronger outline so we can see it more, but that is just a me thing. Your photo looks like you are being taken away while asleep. Like you could wear that to sleep (not the shoes), and the atmosphere is mostly nightish. I mentioned this last round and I will do it again. I think the color blocking needs a bit more work. It is a lot better this time around, but there is a lot of shades of purple here and I want to appreciate all of them on their own. I think the biggest in this is the sky. Maybe some stars or something to give it a bit more effect (or maybe it is the clouds, but still) would help with that, but it is much, much better than last round AND we can get more details on the balloons too (or could have moved them down a little/made them smaller). Besides that, this was really good!
Fireflyyy (Last Round Placement: 13th)
Interesting choice of balloons for this. You went a different route, and you did a good job taking the risk. The color blocking is good, and your posing is great. It looks effortless when you are being pulled, which is good for this prompt. I would say you could have done like a full body one instead of a side profile just because you were doing something outside of the box and had a bit more freedom than those who were holding the balloons in the pose department, but what you did was fine. Your face is good; it is kind of like you are a golden angel ascending into heaven. The hot air balloons may not be the best at creating that illusion, but that could be overthinking, LOL. The background is nice; the town setting is fine, but some parts look a bit warped (lower left cluster), or maybe it is just my eyes, so maybe do something else or have a balloon there so you don't have to worry about that and inspect every single home to make sure they look remotely decent. A lot of improvement from last round, but I think now you need to show more expression in the poses.
LeQuishaQ (Last Round Placement 1st)
I like the concept of this photo, and I think the execution is almost there. First, I love the circus/carnival/park (whichever is the right one) background, and the Kissing Booth is a nice touch and maybe an homage to last round (I'm a sucker for that, which I tried to do in my season but flopped and gave up LOL). The pose is a staple I'm seeing a lot, but the foot that isn't lifted looks weird. It just seems to be placed there. You are being pulled up or at an angle, so it should follow that direction, and the foot should look weakish to showcase the lightness. Be aware of those details for any movement-type things. I love the outfit being part of the balloons. Very cute. I think the color choice is a bit hard to see because of the color blocking with the sky. Maybe light it up with some blues, whites, and yellows (starry night vibes), which could bring out more of the details (and your hair too) in you and your look, because they are great. Your face is great, fierce, and on point, but with something being "light," as in floating, I think this time you could relax and be more of how you would react, floating in the air. Maybe sensual in your previous photo (which, doing the same, would be bad, but there are various forms of sensuality???) Overall, a good strong photo this week and I hope you can continue that strong momentum.
GuiltyAsSin (Last Round Placement: 7th)
I'm very torn on this because I like the photo but some things raise some red flags. First, this is very striking, and I sense a lot of power in your pose. The two red flags I have are that there need to be additional elements to help balance the black, because it is such a powerful color in this image. I think if you had played with the black-and-gold color scheme, this would have looked a lot better. Make the pillows, the couch, the balloons, and the exterior windows gold. Those would be good starts and help make the other parts of the photo stand out more and be more identifiable. Also, it seems the right-hand part of the floor is missing, so if I walked on that, I would just fall out of the building... The second red flag is that I love your pose and how powerful it is, but it looks more like you are pulling the balloons instead of the balloons pulling you. Like you are supposed to be floating, and I think you are touching the floor. A simple, easy thing (IMO) would be a little lift on the model and, maybe, in the background, make it look like a super-intense storm is happening, the wind is crazy, and you are getting pulled in. That would fix the problem of the balloons pulling you apart, but it wouldn't be "light," but still. If the prompt didn't ask for those specific things, I think this would be a good photo overall, but the missing the big part of the prompt could be a danger zone depending on how it is seen. I do hope they fix that floor. 5 Star Hotel my ass.
Melanie (Last Round Placement: 5th)
Hi love. I like this photo. I love the contrast of the balloons and the atmosphere (light and darkness). I like how you did something different with the typical pose people use, which, in this case, was how you were being pulled. The two things I would say, which I have said before, are the face and lighting. The face needs to help with the story. You are being pulled away; how do you react? Unless you were shot by a horse tranquilizer, we would need a reaction (probably would have a reaction getting shot by that too). Lighting, just on your face so we can see. These are probably things one would consider cleanup, and if that is the case, that is fine, but don't forget about them because those details will eventually matter in the later rounds. But I love the contrast. In a weird way could be a good pairing with Marquis...I can't explain it yet and I won't cause it is getting hella late.
SpaceLab (Last Round Placement: 9th)
I really like this day scene. Giving me the set of Mamma Mia. The outfit is nice. Interesting choice on the infinity scarf jacket thingy. I think the suit and jacket would be fine, but if you are using that to showcase the wind blowing, then do that. Or, if that is your fashion, well, my fashion consists of a set of clothes called "Going Out in Public" and "Hiding from Society," so take that info :). I want you to work on your face. You seem bored. I understand you may not be excited that Meryl Streep wasn't in Mamma Mia 2 (it was either we get her or Cher but not both), but we need something. That face can work from time to time, but I don't think this is the moment. Also, I think the legs should switch in the pose. Treat it like theatre; don't upstage yourself. Try to block your entire body if you can. If you have one leg up and the other down, we can see more of you. It may not be a great detail, but it can be for a photo, especially when side-profiling; well, you are like quarter-profiling.
CupidStunt (Last Round Placement: 10th)
When I first saw this, I thought, OMG, did someone do a pull from the feet? How gag-worthy, but you still used your hands. I don't see the need for the extra balloons lifting your legs. I think you could have done the pose without the balloons. We could of gotten rid of them and put that money towards more cute things for Dimitra. That said, I love the backdrop and everything. Very similar to Vanili's, but yours is a pink fluff land. In a way the bottom part of your outfit looks like you are floating on a cloud. I think removing the back piece would be better because it gives more skirt vibes, so why is it on your back? I think, among the facial reactions, yours is one of the top in the floating-away category. This might help because of the scenery too, but I really enjoy it. This is a good photo but just some choices that I think could have been removed in the final cut, but still good job!
Antog (Last Round Placement: 4th)
I really like this concept/story. IT is giving ballerina in that little box that you go spin spin spin and she dances to the music and it entertains grandma and grandbaby for like 15 mins while mother goes on a smoke break (okay maybe that was a my family thing). In this case, the ballerina is released from the contraction and floats away. I like it, but I am confused about some choices. Are you underwater and why? I asked because I think I see fish behind you. I just realized those are flowers, but I'm going to be honest: for a hot second, I thought the flowers floating were fish, and I could convince at least two people. The ballerina in the contraption. I'm assuming it might the model, but why four arms? three arms? She has more than two limbs. Also, would the box be bigger because the sizes aren't sizing? It's giving Amanda's box from last round. I can see she can transform from small to big with some sparkle magic, but I don't see that (which I think would be cute). These are just some things that pop in my head when diving deep in the photo (not a water pun). The pose and such are fine; the face could be more emotive, but idk if ballerinas are supposed to show emotion. Be careful with the little details, because one hand is giving puppet and the other looks realish but a bit stretchy... so we need consistency in what the model is (human, right?). Besides that, I like the vision for this. In a quick glance, this would be the best of the best, but when looking at the details, some cracks show; it is still a good photo, just be aware of those things.
Fancy (Last Round Placement: 2nd)
I'm mixed on this photo because what you are selling gives like magic prince vibes, and honestly, without the balloons I can see you levitating, cause you are magic. But also, looking at how the balloons are, you can still be levitating when the balloons should be doing the job (use your magic on other things). I do admire the pose because it is one of 3 or 4 different ones we got from this collection, but I think you should have shown the balloons doing a bit more to make it seem like they are pulling...but it could be me overthinking, and I see the candles under you and if you fall you will get fire in your ass, which doesn't look fun. Looking at your pose, I feel like your legs should be swapped. It just looks weird, but that could be me. Maybe the background could be changed. There is just something about this photo where I'm like, something is off, because I really like the concept, but it is giving a weird slider puzzle that I'm stuck on, and the one piece is in the way of solving it. I still do like it, but this would be a wildcard for me, which idk what means LOL. Also continue to work on those eyes. I'm seeing progress.
Placements: (Thank Goodness I'm Not Doing Points But Some Would Be Close)
1st: Tjamal
2nd: Zee
3rd: Marilise
4th: Marquise
5th: LeQuisha
6th: Cupid
7th: Antog
8th: Mel
9th: Vanili
10th: Space
11th: Firefly
12th: Amanda
13th: Fancy
14th: Manon
15th: Miranda
16th: Guilty
Theme Prediction for Episode 3: Slutz or Truckers
#DNTM4
Goomybear
