#auscycle10week1

Considering how sensational Montana is in this it’s extremely impressive that Vitoria is holding her own! She’s teetering on the edge of deer-in-headlights, but she reigned it in to maintain an intently alluring stare (not mention she’s drop dead gorgeous straight on). The hand going behind her head seems a little awkward, but I’m glad she was able to show off the rings on her other hand. This definitely made Vitoria one to watch!

Like with Jessie, I love that Christy has played up the androgynous edge to her styling, and the two compliment each other like yin and yang really. Neither overshadows the other, and both shine because of it. Facially, Christy looks incredible. She is rocking the lighting, and that slicked back hair, and looks like a modern criminal, in the most fashionable way possible. The shot is unique and interesting, yet the clothes all are in prime positioning. I think this would be an absolutely sensational ad for any brand.

Vitoria was one of my personal favourites this cycle, and I think she knocked it out of the park this first week. Montana looks brilliant, but she feels like the extra part of this shot. Vitoria’s face is virtually radiant here, her glare is almost hypnotising. I also think the hand placement feels natural, and despite having a lot going on in the shot, nothing feels convoluted or awkward. Can’t help but feel this was underrated at panel, and with Vitoria, this won’t be the last time I get this impression.

This was a brilliant start for Jessie, she is holding her own. I like that this shot plays into the masculine vibe of the styling, with the wide splayed legs, the strong faces, the way Jessie is throwing her arm over. It adds an interesting twist to this shoot, and helps sell the fashion fantasy. Also, I don’t know how Jessie has managed to be sitting down, hunched over, but still look like she is well over 6 feet tall. The proportions of her body are superb in this photograph.

Find this shot to be a little overrated, but it was still a strong start. Aleyna held her own against Montana, while still making the shot feel like a paired photo. I love the way the two are connected, and the slight mimicking of the pose with the left arms. I will say the way Aleyna is gripping Moana’s fingers feels a little heavy, but still one of the most interwoven shots. Facially it is strong too, the expression is strong, and even though I think her head is tilted down a little bit too far, her features photograph beautifully. Lost a bit of neck though. A very strong start to her portfolio though, and even from this point her potential was abundantly clear.

Sabine’s face will carry her through most of this competition, but damn she can look absolutely stunning with the right angle. And this is the right angle. I adore the composition of this shot; Montana glancing away in profile, Sabine glaring down the camera, almost face on to the camera. I think this shot instantly screams jewellery ad or make-up campaign. It is a really strong photograph, though I think the raised shoulder has lost her neck a bit. This was probably my favourite shot of Montana this week, and even though Sabine looks great, she feels far less graceful and elegant that Montana does. Just needed that little bit more.

Kassidy managed to produce an interesting shot, with a different dynamic from most of the others. There is a strong connection between the two, even though there is no direct eye contact. The issue with the shot is it works less as a fashion ad, Kassidy is sitting firmly behind Montana and is definitely playing the lesser role in the shot. Her face looks gorgeous from this angle, but she has firmly set herself up to fail to capture our attention first.

Forgettable, but I will say I think this is one of the few shots that I actually prefer the Cycle 10 model to Montana, especially for the beauty shot. I think Laura’s face looks pretty here, and while the expression isn’t that strong, I find it kind of works with the lethargy the pose is giving. It feels almost like that too-cool dynamic, where the two just don’t care but in a fashionable way. If this shot had been closer cropped, I think it would stand out more. The body though is just pedestrian, the dark clothes just blend into the background, and fail to look good. I think she needed to angle her body more the other way, so we get the curve of her body on the side not by Montana. Right now she just looks blocky.