Post by RuPaul on Feb 11, 2014 12:00:54 GMT -5
Welcome gentlemen. I'll be taking care of the panel this round. Nico sends his apologies, as he has been very busy, but he has sent his scores in.
Let's get down to business.
Mark - Sun
The Planet of Self
For this photo shoot, I chose the Sun for good ol' Marky Mark. I decided to go with a older Mark because the Sun is seen as the father figure, the leader, the wise man. But at the same time, he is dressing young with his leather jacker and longer hair. The Sun is associated with youth, the period in life when, brimming with ambitions and hopes, one completes one's studies (there's pipe type object in his hand, maybe he's studying plumbing?). But in all seriousness, he's giving off old and young at the same time. I also thought the light and slight shadows on the face incorporates the sun's ability to illuminate and cast shadows on everything without discrimination.
Let's get down to business.
Mark - Sun
The Planet of Self
For this photo shoot, I chose the Sun for good ol' Marky Mark. I decided to go with a older Mark because the Sun is seen as the father figure, the leader, the wise man. But at the same time, he is dressing young with his leather jacker and longer hair. The Sun is associated with youth, the period in life when, brimming with ambitions and hopes, one completes one's studies (there's pipe type object in his hand, maybe he's studying plumbing?). But in all seriousness, he's giving off old and young at the same time. I also thought the light and slight shadows on the face incorporates the sun's ability to illuminate and cast shadows on everything without discrimination.
Jensen: I actually like this. This is a really good modeling shot. I like the shadows and the lighting and angles of the shadows. I definitely see where you were going with this as in old and young at the same time. Your description definitely helps to sell your photo even more because when I saw Sun, I was like ummmmm it's not bright lol but then I read your description and was sold. Good job.
Chris: I think you sell your photo well but I still can't relate it to the Sun but I do get that vibes from this photo. I think this photo has potential but I'm not sure this is working in black and white. It makes this photo a little bit safe. Still, there's a part of me that like this photo.
Neil: I agree that you are giving off both old and young at the same time here. I just think I would have preferred a bit more detail to the shot itself. It's a solid look for you that fits the theme, but doesn't really have a strong or lasting impact. Still, I think you have the theme done well enough here and I doubt you have anything to worry about.
RuPaul: Sun is a very powerful "planet", just like in the real solar system, it has the most influence out all of the other planets combined. It's that power I'm not feeling in your picture. What I like most about your explanation though, is this line "I also thought the light and slight shadows on the face incorporates the sun's ability to illuminate and cast shadows on everything without discrimination." That's some grade A bullshitting there, and I'm so proud of you for it. Because it works. That being said, I'd like them to be more extreme.
Aaron - Mercury
The Planet of Communication
"He represents traders, attorneys and messengers."
The Planet of Communication
"He represents traders, attorneys and messengers."
Jensen: Wow, this is a great photo Aaron. You are modeling really well. Flawless in your motion without looking like a tool. I love the styling and setting and how the other guys are looking another way so that complete focus is on you. Very nice job. I really like your face here. Flawless execution.
Chris: Gorgeous photo. I read the explanation of Mercury and you definitely represent a portion of it. I really love the styling. Great suit. The modelling is very strong in this photo. Great job again, Aaron. You're consistently on top from week to week. Keep it up!
Neil: That's you?
*uses reverse image search*
Well I'll be damned. It is you. I absolutely love this look for you. You look like a man here and I love the shot based off of the initial visual impact. Now I just have to figure out if I like it for the theme given this round. You taken the route of it representing those trades and I can see that in this shot. I like that you have an action shot rather than a generic shot of you in a suit. Overall, very well done.
RuPaul: Usually, you do look a hot mess, but this round you've changed that up and delivered a clean cut Mercurian businessman. It really is the best we've seen you in this competition. I think you hit the ball all the way over the fence with this photoshoot.
Douglas - Venus
The Planet of Love and Money
The Planet of Love and Money
She represents artists, traders, and all occupations related to beauty and seduction. Her age covers the period from 18 to 25 years, approximately.
Temperament: sanguine and phlegmatic
Characterology: emotive, non-active, primary, or emotive, non-active, secondary.
Venus is associated with love, beauty, well-being and gentleness. She describes one's romantic life, affections, leisure, and the way one behaves with one's love partners. Venus softens, beautifies and creates pleasant situations at the place where she is posited.
When Venus is a dominant planet, the chart's owner is gentle, accommodating, seducing, charming, rather handsome, conscious of his external appearance. He is sometimes endowed with artistic talents (decoration, fashion, painting, music, dance etc.). Like the Moon, Venus is a feminine planet, but she is more sensual and more attracted to pleasures life has to offer. A negative Venus may turn the individual into a greedy, lazy, materialistic, overly sensual and hypocritical person.
Temperament: sanguine and phlegmatic
Characterology: emotive, non-active, primary, or emotive, non-active, secondary.
Venus is associated with love, beauty, well-being and gentleness. She describes one's romantic life, affections, leisure, and the way one behaves with one's love partners. Venus softens, beautifies and creates pleasant situations at the place where she is posited.
When Venus is a dominant planet, the chart's owner is gentle, accommodating, seducing, charming, rather handsome, conscious of his external appearance. He is sometimes endowed with artistic talents (decoration, fashion, painting, music, dance etc.). Like the Moon, Venus is a feminine planet, but she is more sensual and more attracted to pleasures life has to offer. A negative Venus may turn the individual into a greedy, lazy, materialistic, overly sensual and hypocritical person.
Unfortunately, he isn't a girl.. but he definitely looks really gentle with his pose and the shadow in this photo kind of adds the romantic feeling to it.
Jensen: Your lips are always perfect. You are a beautiful man. I find this photo fits quite a bit, but the outfit really doesn't. You look like you're in your pajamas, which fine, but it's not working with the whole vibe of this photo. That said, you're a beauty and you fit the theme and your description sells it completely.
Chris: I love the way you approach Venus in this photo. I love the tenderness in your expression and the concept is great. I'm not a fan of the styling but at the same time, I totally get what you're trying to do here. Beautiful interpretation of Venus. Great job, Doug.
Neil: You're suffering from a bit of a quality issue this round. It's also a bit of a plain photo for me. However, I do appreciate that you're representing Venus in a more abstract way. You're going for the feeling and emotions tied to the planet's description and I think you pull them off. The posing is fine; it's not anything spectacular, but I think is mainly there for the feeling of the theme.
RuPaul: The first thing I note about this picture is how feminine you look. Yes, there is a bit of a quality issue, but we all know how I am with recognising quality. You definitely look soft, gentle, and very beautiful.
Hugh - Moon
The Planet of Emotions
"Reasons I picked this photo:
1. "Characterology: emotive, non-active, primary, or non-emotive, non-active and primary."
2. "The Moon is the night star. Therefore, she is associated with dreams, the unconscious, subjectivity, moods, the past, nostalgia,
but also with laziness, nonchalance and whims."
3. "In a man's chart, although the Moon represents his sensitivity, she may be of a lesser importance, since she is often repressed."
The Planet of Emotions
"Reasons I picked this photo:
1. "Characterology: emotive, non-active, primary, or non-emotive, non-active and primary."
2. "The Moon is the night star. Therefore, she is associated with dreams, the unconscious, subjectivity, moods, the past, nostalgia,
but also with laziness, nonchalance and whims."
3. "In a man's chart, although the Moon represents his sensitivity, she may be of a lesser importance, since she is often repressed."
Jensen: Your modeling is good here. I like that you're just chill and relaxed. Your description is top notch. I like this photo. You look great while looking moody.
Chris: I totally get the moody and the sensitiveness in this photo. Great styling and I love the way you look down in this photo. The angle of you jawline in this photo look great. I love the setting cause it fits the photo. Overall, you did a great job. Keep it up, Hugh.
Neil: Your quality is off here, but grainy is better than blurry, so it could be worse. I love how you're styled here; the formalwear suits you well (pun not intended). I think you've done a good job connecting your shot to your celestial body. Overall, I think it's a step up from your last two shots.
RuPaul: You know, I like you worked with what you were left with. However, the Moon is basically a combination of the femininity of Venus and the dreaminess of Neptune, except more dominant, and also it's all about emotions with The Moon. But with what you've provided in your description, I only have one problem. It's in the face. It doesn't have a lot of energy or emotion, even for laziness. I think there needs to be just a little more expression.
Macklemore - Mars
The Planet of Passion
“She’s moving!” I called out across the room
As, without warning, the black barrel wheels began to turn,
Rolling the rover across the floor, snail-slow at first,
But oh-so beautifully!
“It’s alive!” a happy Ustreamer typed; another tapped “WooHoo!”
As MSL slid silently across the blue…
One day those wheels will roll o’er Mars.
Scrunching and crunching over Ares’ ancient rocks,
Carrying Curiosity, her cameras and computers
Across the Big Country landscape of the next New World.
And each sol they do, back here on Earth
A thousand unashamed rover-huggers will remember
The pride they felt the day they saw her take
Her “baby steps” First Drive…
Mars represents the military, sportsmen, warriors, surgeons, blacksmiths, etc. His age covers the period from 42 to 58 years, approximately.
Mars is a combative energy and describes how one commands and takes action. He symbolizes virility, action, violence, courage and boldness. He bestows dynamism and enterprising spirit, but he can also turn the chart's owner into a despotic, irascible and primary person.
Mars gives information on the ability to come to grips with things and to overcome hurdles, as well as the types of sports practiced. It also describes sexual life and desires.
Macklemore - Saturn
Planet of Karma
What wonders ’wait our robot’s eye
A billion miles away?
What treasures will Cassini spy
With Titan on display?
Old Huygens was the first to view
Great Saturn’s largest moon.
In 1655 he knew
It kept with Kepler’s tune.
He represents grandparents, wise men, the elderly, scientists and knowledgeable persons. The age of Saturn is old age, from 70 years, and sometimes earlier, depending of the individual's health, until death.
Characterology: non-emotive, active, secondary, or sometimes, emotive, non-active, secondary. He is a phlegmatic, sentimental or apathetic.
As the opposite of Jupiter, who is synonymous with expansion, Saturn is synonymous with restriction. He symbolizes time and its implacable principle. He is associated with toughness, austerity, discipline and limitation.
The Planet of Passion
“She’s moving!” I called out across the room
As, without warning, the black barrel wheels began to turn,
Rolling the rover across the floor, snail-slow at first,
But oh-so beautifully!
“It’s alive!” a happy Ustreamer typed; another tapped “WooHoo!”
As MSL slid silently across the blue…
One day those wheels will roll o’er Mars.
Scrunching and crunching over Ares’ ancient rocks,
Carrying Curiosity, her cameras and computers
Across the Big Country landscape of the next New World.
And each sol they do, back here on Earth
A thousand unashamed rover-huggers will remember
The pride they felt the day they saw her take
Her “baby steps” First Drive…
Mars represents the military, sportsmen, warriors, surgeons, blacksmiths, etc. His age covers the period from 42 to 58 years, approximately.
Mars is a combative energy and describes how one commands and takes action. He symbolizes virility, action, violence, courage and boldness. He bestows dynamism and enterprising spirit, but he can also turn the chart's owner into a despotic, irascible and primary person.
Mars gives information on the ability to come to grips with things and to overcome hurdles, as well as the types of sports practiced. It also describes sexual life and desires.
Macklemore - Saturn
Planet of Karma
What wonders ’wait our robot’s eye
A billion miles away?
What treasures will Cassini spy
With Titan on display?
Old Huygens was the first to view
Great Saturn’s largest moon.
In 1655 he knew
It kept with Kepler’s tune.
He represents grandparents, wise men, the elderly, scientists and knowledgeable persons. The age of Saturn is old age, from 70 years, and sometimes earlier, depending of the individual's health, until death.
Characterology: non-emotive, active, secondary, or sometimes, emotive, non-active, secondary. He is a phlegmatic, sentimental or apathetic.
As the opposite of Jupiter, who is synonymous with expansion, Saturn is synonymous with restriction. He symbolizes time and its implacable principle. He is associated with toughness, austerity, discipline and limitation.
Jensen: Setting and styling wise, I choose the first one. It's busy but it's nothing plain or ordinary. I definitely see what you were going for here with your photo and description. It's unique and well thought out. I like it.
Chris: I'm definitely going to rank the first one too. I love the way you relate it to the Sportsmen and the setting and props totally define that you're one of the sportsmen. I think maybe you can work more on the pose. A little bit too static here. But overall, I love this. Great job, Mack.
Neil: Let's pretend the second didn't happen. The first shot, I like how you have both the sports and military aspects of your planet covered. The sports is easy to see through the styling, but the stance has a bit of a military influence to it. It's a bit hard to see your face in the shot, but overall, it's a solid submission.
RuPaul: Mars is where it's at with your pictures, Saturn is just not good. I'm going to say I wish there was a lot more energy in this picture of you though. I agree it has a very military feel to add to it, but again, I think it's the face that's really letting you down here. That being said, definitely not the worst.
Tom - Jupiter
The Planet of Luck
Jupiter represents people in power, magistrates, great professors, and religious figures. He symbolizes abundance, warmth, blossoming, good luck and self-confidence. Jupiter represents public persons who offer supports and protection, as well as lawyers and politicians. As a King, I'm representing Jupiter in this photo.
The Planet of Luck
Jupiter represents people in power, magistrates, great professors, and religious figures. He symbolizes abundance, warmth, blossoming, good luck and self-confidence. Jupiter represents public persons who offer supports and protection, as well as lawyers and politicians. As a King, I'm representing Jupiter in this photo.
Jensen: The theme is met 100% here. I totally see it. This isn't necessarily a great thing though. I mean, it is, but there's a few negatives that bring down the positives. The boots and codpiece and jacket don't make me think of a King. I know the crown is there, but I'm not feeling it completely. The throne and setting are definitely what works there. Now, the lighting. It's way too bright. I dont' think you're the worst of the round though.
Chris: There's nothing wrong with a king who wants to be stylish, Jensen. I definitely see a king here. And I love the way you sit in this photo. I think it's powerful and self-confidence. That thing at your groin area (Codpiece?) kinda distracts me a little bit. I was like, why he's wearing that. Protection? From his queen? Hmm.. Now it distracts me again...
Neil: Not a big fan of the lighting in the shot; looks a bit overexposed. I didn't think Jensen would complain about his eyes being drawn to your crotch, so that's a bit weird. I think your styling fits and you did a good job connecting yourself to the theme this round. It's not my favorite shot from you, but I think it's still a solid submission.
RuPaul: The lighting is a huge issue in this picture. Your face is great, but the body is not as powerful it should be. I think you need to be holding something. Your sword maybe, to bring that power to your pose that you have in your face.
Penn - Uranus
The Planet of Rebellion
When Uranus is a dominant planet, the individual is therefore always eccentric, very independent, idealistic, inventive and quite extravagant. He may also show intolerance, insensitivity, a lack of human warmth, which is quite paradoxical because, although he is on the fringe of society, he needs to be at the service of humankind and to contribute to the betterment of the world.
I felt like Penn's fashion in this photo, paired with his lack of connection with the camera suggested the highlighted words which were descriptive of the characteristics of Uranus.
The Planet of Rebellion
When Uranus is a dominant planet, the individual is therefore always eccentric, very independent, idealistic, inventive and quite extravagant. He may also show intolerance, insensitivity, a lack of human warmth, which is quite paradoxical because, although he is on the fringe of society, he needs to be at the service of humankind and to contribute to the betterment of the world.
I felt like Penn's fashion in this photo, paired with his lack of connection with the camera suggested the highlighted words which were descriptive of the characteristics of Uranus.
Jensen: K, I think I get it. Like Mark and Michael, needed to do some reading to really interpret what you were going for, but that's where you guys come in and help lol Your modeling is good, your expression works with what you are going for. Your description fits very well. Good job.
Chris: I kinda like your styling. And I love the fact that you relate your photo to independent, intolerance, insensitivity and lack of human warmth. I can see that from your body language but I think you will give that vibes more if you play it with your expression. I think it much easier to see the lack of human warmth or insensitivity from your expression than a body language. But I still like the photo. Not a fan of b&w shot though.
Neil: I've noticed that you tend to have more quirky facial expressions than other models. It's nice in the sense that sometimes I can get bored by certain models who look like they have nothing going on behind the eyes. I appreciate the personality it can bring at times. As far as the theme connection this round, you did a good job selling it. I'm fine with this being in black and white since it adds to the descriptors you were going for here.
RuPaul: First, I'm just going to have a little bit of a rant, if you don't mind. I think people get confused what the term connection is used. Simply looking at the camera isn't a connection. The connection lies within the modelling in itself. Tyra Banks is really the queen of connection. I guess connection is more a jargon in fashion and modelling for intensity. Go ahead and look at Tyra
Okay, rant over. On to your picture. Uranus is the planet of rebellion. In that sense, your lower half of your attire says that to me, as well as your stance. Penn, like it or not, though you're not looking at the camera, there is connection with those eyes. You did a good job of selling your picture, but as a whole, I'm underwhelmed.
Eric - Neptune
The Planet of Illusion
Neptune gives a tendency to alcohol and drug addictions, "artificial paradises" and suicide. He causes depression, nervous breakdowns and psychological uneasiness.
In this photo Eric looks like he has depressions, psychic problems...from photo is not posiitive energy and he looks like he made suicide..
The Planet of Illusion
Neptune gives a tendency to alcohol and drug addictions, "artificial paradises" and suicide. He causes depression, nervous breakdowns and psychological uneasiness.
In this photo Eric looks like he has depressions, psychic problems...from photo is not posiitive energy and he looks like he made suicide..
Jensen: This is very fitting and your pose is pretty good. Dead in an artistic way. Nothing looks dead which is what we want in modeling. While you're portraying dead, everything is working well. Styling isn't nice but fitting with your theme.
Chris: Eric... This is great. After several weak photos, you totally bring it this week. I love the way you relate your photo to Neptune. And it's believable. I love the angle in this photo and you're not just laying on the floor but you're modelling it as well. Great job, Eric. Keep it up. This is what I want to see from you.
Neil: Such a huge improvement over the past few rounds. I really wasn't expecting this from you, to be honest. Your description makes sense and I think it fits. There's a nice striking visual to this image. You may completely lack energy, but it's not boring at all. You are still giving us angles here and it's a really strong shot. I think you're going to surprise a lot of people this round.
RuPaul: I believe your body, but I don't believe the scenario. This seems a bit to clean to be someone under the escapism that Neptune brings. That is my only complaint really, I just want to be convinced by the surroundings too to make it fully believable.
Michael - Pluto
The Planet of Power
Pluto represents dictators, sadists, violent, instinctive and powerful persons, as well as hidden and mysterious forces. He represents occultism and all hidden sciences, mystery, death, the hereafter, deep self-questionings, as well as power such as that of the atom. Pluto brings about radical upheavals from which it is impossible to escape. After his transit, one feels totally transformed, whether positively or negatively.
From the above meanings of what is Pluto in astrological sense I focused my submission on the hidden/mysterious forces and occult by having Michael represent an angel. Angels are very mystic aspect of religion and mysticism and there are different ways to interpret them. One way is as a guiding force like a guardian angel which is a positive aspect of an angel. On the other end of the spectrum there is the angel of death which is considered a negative aspect of an angel but is more of a guide to bring somebody over from the living to the land of the dead. When one is said to be "touched by an angel" their lives are changed forever which can be enlightenment ("being saved" is one example) or dying as in the angel of death aspect. So with this I feel that Pluto can be interpreted as an angel and thus is my photo submission this round.
The Planet of Power
Pluto represents dictators, sadists, violent, instinctive and powerful persons, as well as hidden and mysterious forces. He represents occultism and all hidden sciences, mystery, death, the hereafter, deep self-questionings, as well as power such as that of the atom. Pluto brings about radical upheavals from which it is impossible to escape. After his transit, one feels totally transformed, whether positively or negatively.
From the above meanings of what is Pluto in astrological sense I focused my submission on the hidden/mysterious forces and occult by having Michael represent an angel. Angels are very mystic aspect of religion and mysticism and there are different ways to interpret them. One way is as a guiding force like a guardian angel which is a positive aspect of an angel. On the other end of the spectrum there is the angel of death which is considered a negative aspect of an angel but is more of a guide to bring somebody over from the living to the land of the dead. When one is said to be "touched by an angel" their lives are changed forever which can be enlightenment ("being saved" is one example) or dying as in the angel of death aspect. So with this I feel that Pluto can be interpreted as an angel and thus is my photo submission this round.
Jensen: I'm glad you explained your choice because with the first blurb, I didn't buy it. An angel as a dictator, sadist, violent person? I wasn't sold. Then you explained about the Angel of Death and I get it more. Which also explains your expression. The photo is a bit small and the quality on your face, I dont' like that. Where the shadows on Mark's photo are good, because your photo is small, the shadows block out so much of what could be good. But it's not a huge deal, this isn't bad at all.
Chris: I love the fact that you relate Pluto to the hidden and mysterious forces which is Angel of Death here. And your explanation really works for us to understand more on your photo. Overall, I really like it. And also since this is a full body shot, I wish the size would be a little bit bigger so we can see the whole thing perfectly. Still, I like this a lot. Great effort
Neil: I have to agree with Jensen that I started off confused by your thought process, but you brought it around with your second paragraph and now it makes sense. There's a bit of a quality issue here, but I do like the concept of the shoot itself. If nothing else, it has interesting elements to it. The worst thing you can be is boring and I don't find this to be boring. I don't have the strongest theme connection from this, but I think it works well enough in thats sense.
RuPaul: Pluto is the planet of revolution, creation and destruction. Much like its namesake, Pluto is hidden within darkness, and that's probably what I like most about this picture. The rest of it in terms of modelling, I'm not too impressed about, unfortunately. Your explanation is top notch, and I really appreciate it.
Well done aaron!
