Critiques #5 - Around The Globe

[Jensen Ackles]

Alice - Japanese Culture

Grell: Wow, there is so much going on in this photo. I honestly lose track of where you are with the chaos of everything going on. The color of your stockings and the checkered floor doesn't help either. Normally a simple cropping would have helped you out, but if you did, it would have been a much harder sell for your culture pick. I see the Japanese inspiration in this photo, but it still feels too much like Wonderland. On the plus, the art style looks great.

Jensen: This is really busy and at first I was like, where is Alice? Then I found you. And you look good but seriously, busy photo. Also, I'm not sure why this relates to Japanese culture. I wish you would have sold it to me.

Alice: I thought it would be more obvious, but google "Japanese art". The artistic style is based on traditional Japanese paintings. Plus you have the "Great Wave" and Mount Fuji crammed in there, which are two of the most iconic images of Japanese culture. I had plenty of pictures of her just chilling in a kimono but I thought this represented the culture as a whole much better (even if it meant submitting a busy picture).

Doctor: Oh dear lord, Jensen! We need to seriously sit down after this shoot. xD I saw your Alice photo and was in love. I totally get it and I'm a fan. My only negatives are the watermark (which pulls you out of the illusion) and you flashing your undies. xD Stop being a slut, woman! lol It really is very busy, but I really don't mind it. I think it's a perfect combination of Wonderland meets Japan...and you ARE a bigger focal point than anything else. So good job.

[Jensen Ackles]

Android 17 - Russian Culture (winter)

Grell: I'm not really seeing Russia. This could easily be any northern territory like Canada or Norway. You needed to really push it a lot farther to sell Russia. As for the modeling, it's a clip from the show so nothing great.

Jensen: I could see it being Russia, but the photo looks like a screencap and I'm just not fond of it. I saw so much potential last round but honestly, I think you've had trouble with 17 for some time.

Doctor: Let's be honest. This photo of 17 is shit. Plain and simple. It's a screen cap from the anime, the quality is shit, you're packed with clothing and all we have to go on for the theme is the fact there's snow. Horrible

[Jensen Ackles]

Android 18 - Urban African Culture

Grell: I know the other judges weren't looking for American/Canadian Culture, though with the turn out of Japanese Cultures submitted, I'm glad to see something different. I'm always a fan of models outside their default design. I'm liking the attitude of 18. Overall good job

Jensen: I like the styling of 18 here. Very hip. I did a quick search and seen that it could look very similar to American culture. This is your best picture to date, just not sure how I like the theme.

Doctor: As for 18, honestly when you said "Urban African" I thought you meant from South Africa. These guys say American though (do they mean the ghetto? lol). Either way...I like the photo. This is the 18 I want to see from here on. MODEL! Keep growing hun.

[Jensen Ackles]

Black Star - Japanese Culture

Grell: Well, the quality looks nice. Totodile looks adorable and I do like the softer side of you being shown here. Sadly though, that's as far as the positives I can give for this photo. Given your small pool of photos to picked, something like a samurai would have really helped you out or even a ninja photo. The theme is very weak here to the point that there really isn't anything there. Just a very poor choice for this round.

Jensen: I guess I can buy it. Looks like a mini godzilla so it works for me I guess. I like your face here. Hmmmmm Not sure really how I feel overall.

Doctor: LMAO! @the Godzilla remark. xD I understand a bit what you were going for. Pokemon is HUGE over in Japan and it has become its own subculture (seriously; it's insane lol). Fun Fact: They recently made Pikachu their official world cup mascot. While I may understand it...I don't think it's strong enough. I think Grell's right. You as a ninja or samurai may have been a better choice for you. Side note, glad to see something different from you. ^.^

[Jensen Ackles]

Captain America - Spanish Culture

Grell: I'm definitely glad you thought outside your comfort zone here and gave us a unique selection. As far as theme, you hit the nail on the head. I can identify what country you're portraying without needing an explanation. Great job.

Jensen: Oh, awesome. I really like your Captain America photo. I am so glad we banned America lol Great job, love the pose, the face, the background. Great job.

Doctor: As for Captain America...I'm not that much of a fan TBH. You look stiff and constipated. I did notice this is not the original photo. Did you find the cropped/edit version or did you make it yourself. Either way it's nicely done and only adds to the overall look.

[Jensen Ackles]

Chun Li - Hong Kong Culture

Grell: I'm sure you're expecting to be commented about the low hanging fruit. For me, in regard to staying in the comfort zone, if it's something that can wow me, I won't mind as much. Aside from the unoriginal selection, everything else is great. The quality is great and I get China easily. Good Job.

Chun Li: Not China, Grell, Hong Kong.

Jensen: Isn't Hong Kong in China? Anyway lol I allowed it, so no worries and guess what, you didn't just show your girl doing martial arts, you gave us something completely different than what we're used to. Love the styling and the prop. And your pose. This is great.

Chun Li: Yes, but the thing with China is that it's all many different nations in one state - Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong, for example have anywhere from slight to distinct cultural differences that to that of the rest of China, including language, national identity, and religion.
The thing that makes this different that if I were to represent other parts of China, for example, Beijing or Tibet is really in the background with the scenery and atmosphere.
Sorry, China is my strength in my university studies. :X

Doctor: Honk Kong is a special administrative region of China. Meaning, it's run as if it were its own country...but actually isn't. It's still part of China. Best way to think of it is "1 Country. 2 Governments". China is very fascinating in the way they run things. <3 Should also note that in the majority of Street Fighter sources Chun-Li is from China, but in several others she's noted as being from Honk Kong. So this was indeed low hanging fruit. However, I don't think it really matters because you pulled this out hardcore. Best work I've seen from you and I'm excited to see this level. It's all here. The modeling, the culture, the artistic style & the beauty in general. Very well done.

[Jensen Ackles]

Ino - Egyptian Culture

Grell: I'm in love with your Egyptian photo. It's an original pick that goes outside the comfort zone of your own realm. Even aside your theme selection, everything is perfect. The world fits the theme you selected and you look stunning with those killer eyes. I also like the slight smirk you're giving. I have nothing negative to say. Amazing job.

Jensen: Ino!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fucking brilliant!

Doctor: I'm not as excited with your Ino photo as the others. lol Not because of the photo itself. It's a wonderful photo. You own the camera and the scenery only adds to you (not the other way around). I lose excitement by the fact you call this as Egyptian when this simply isn't. Ancient Egyptians had a very distinctive style that focused accents on wigs, jewelry & cosmetics. This looks closer to a combination of Persian & Arabian. Fun Fact: Purple cloth was rare in Egypt as it was near impossible to obtain. Usually only royalty could afford such fabric

[Jensen Ackles]

Joker - Medieval Knight European Culture

Grell: This photo was very intriguing. Points for originality among the cast! I like to imagine a story of the Clown Prince slaying the evil Dark Knight and winning the heart of the beautiful maiden Lady Harley. Very twisted hehe. My one issue is that its more depicting the general Medieval Europe than one culture specifically. Regardless, I'm a fan of the unique art style.

Jensen: It's weird to see the Joker like this, but I do like seeing him out of his element. I appreciate the variety and risk for sure. It's a nice photo.

Doctor: Love the direction you took with Joker. The face looks a bit weird to me (not necessarily bad though). That must be Harley's ancestor there.

[Jensen Ackles]

Korra - Chinese Culture

Grell: A part of me would have loved to see you portray the Inuit Culture. Although it would have been within your comfort zone, just to have something completely different than the usually selections would have been nice. However, I do appreciate you thinking out the box. The panda is adorable and the scenery is great. I'm just not a fan of how your face is drawn. It comes off looking like you're melting. Other than that, good job this round.

Jensen: Where are we? This is cute and the panda is cute but I have no idea what culture you're representing since I see pandas at the zoo *shrugs*

Doctor: *looks at Jensen* Now I get why we needed this theme, cause wow you need cultured. xD Bamboo is found in Eastern cultures while the Giant Panda are indigenous to China. So...to answer your question...China. lol Ok, Korra. Your face is horrible. lol The rest of it, I like. It's not strong, but it's good. The little panda earth-bending is adorable btw.

Jensen: In my defense, we have Giant Pandas at the zoo lmfao
www.torontozoo.com/pandas/

[Jensen Ackles]

Link - Japanese Culture Samurai

Grell: Another team to go all Japanese. I'm reminded of the song where it's like " I'm turning Japanese." Onto the photos. For me, this submission feels very weak. The quality of the photo is what's really hurting you here. I think if the quality was the same as Zelda's photo, it would have really helped you.

Jensen: Link........eh, not sure I like it. The pose and outfit I like but the photo overall is kind of boring.

Doctor: Link's is a fail for me and I think a lot of the reason falls to the artist. He's hidden half of Link's body (which happens when an artist is not comfortable with or skilled enough to draw certain aspects. Notice his right side hand is behind him while his left side hand is conveniently positioned so the sword is in front? Notice how both feet have thick coverings? Notice how all 4 limbs are covered with overly baggy material? It's his weakness and as a result he positions his subjects to hide it. If he has other work, most will either show similar hiding or be head shots. Unfortunately for YOU...this fact hurts Link as a model. Better posing could've made this work very well

[Jensen Ackles]

Peter Pan - Native American

Grell: Although this isn't Peter's own culture, it still feels like you're playing too safe and sticking with something easy. It's basically a scene from the movie. If you were to go with the Native American culture, you should have gone all out. Instead, you're just wearing the head-dress. I can appreciate the art style. I just wish you did more with theme. Just feels empty with what's given.

Jensen: Oh, very cute. I was hoping you wouldn't go with something corny like the Peter of your siggy. Glad you didn't. The art work is very nicely done. While I agree with Grell about you going with something safe and easy, it's still a good photo, done very nicely and artistically.

Doctor: I just don't see any actual culture here. This feels like 1 step up above Snow's. You have 1 thing in there (the headdress) and that's really it. If you were owning that headdress or didn't rely so heavily on the lady before you...then this may have worked better. As is though, it doesn't for me.

[Jensen Ackles]

Shikamaru - Japanese Culture

Grell: I'm less thrilled with him. I think I'm going to be going into Japanese overload after this round. Luckily for Shikamaru, you really are committing to your theme. Instead of just taking one small aspect about your selected country, you going all in it. There is the issue of the low hanging fruit in that your world borrows heavily from Japanese culture already. Then there's you modeling. As a painting, it looks great, but as modeling it's not great. We get a nice profile look, but not much else. Good Job though this round.

Jensen: Which one is Shikamaru? I'm actually worried for you this round. I have no idea who is who. The art work is awesome and I love it, but not the characters in the photo, not for this kind of competition anyway.

Doctor: As for Shikamaru...I love the artistic style and while you may hit the theme...that's the only thing you hit. One of the judges doesn't even know who you are in this (he's the one on the right btw, Jensen).

[Jensen Ackles]

Snow White - Japanese Culture

Grell: Oh joy, a double serving of Japanese culture. I probably should have planned this out better in judging since the last five photos are all Japanese inspired. With your model, it feels you're hitting the bare minimum requirements for the challenge. There isn't much to the background to really wow us. It looks pretty, but not much else.

Jensen: Snow White's is nice and not overly sexy. I love the kimono for sure. A bit on the basic side, but still good.

Doctor: Snow on the other hand... xD It's so very plain and standard that it just doesn't hit anything for me. I'd expect something like this during Round 1, but we're a few rounds in. So it's just not excusable IMO.

[Jensen Ackles]

Tinkerbell - Japanese

Grell: Oh joy, a Japanese culture photo. Once you all the submissions, you'll understand my lack of excitement. As far as your submission, you hit the theme without needing to explain. Nothing else really to say. Good Job this round.

Jensen: I really really love this photo of Tinkerbell. It's cute and not overly sexy like all your photos have been so far. I love the clothing and the use of props. Good job.

Doctor: As for Tink, I agree with Jensen. Very cute take. I like the connection with the camera; makes this very commercial. Good job!

[Jensen Ackles]

Wolverine - Japanese Culture

Grell: I think it's safe to assume this is Wolverine. Yeah, for this round, I was getting bored with the amount of Japanese submissions. Luckily for you, you really go all out and not just pick one aspect of the culture. The photo literally looks like it's bleeding national pride. With its harsh design, it reminds me of a World War II poster. At the very least, a pretty stand out piece.

Jensen: This is your best Wolverine photo. I really like the art style here and the styling of your character. Good job. Very good job.

Doctor: Nice recovery with Wolverine. I love it. Nothing else to really say there. Great job.

[Jensen Ackles]

Zelda - Japanese Culture

Grell: You're the second model to submit a standing Geisha, but lucky for you, I think yours is better. What really helps you is that it's not just the outfit but the background that's selling your culture. Good Job

Jensen: I really like Zelda's. The dress doesn't really scream Geisha to me, but I love the photo as a whole. I'll have to do some heavy thinking when I'm ranking for sure.

Doctor: As for Zelda...you did something two others did as well. Simple 1 item to show culture. I think you succeed a little more than they do only because you have a nice background that silently aids you and you completely own your attire.