Pho-to Shoots: Lingerie Lounging

Cycle 1: Lingerie, Part 1: In Paris

Concept: As always, I'm willing to give Cycle 1 a little lee-way as far as barebones concepts go, since the producers didn't have any other past shoots to trump. The models are in Paris, and what's the first thing Americans think of when they hear 'Paris'? Eiffel Tower. What does it have to do with WonderBra? Sponsorship, natch. B-
Composition: The lighting is fine, the pho-to composition is good. After repeat viewings of this episode and the shoot, I don't know what the hell was up with the photographer; if the models seem stiff and statue-like, it's because that control freak of a photographer wanted their body parts to be in the exact.right.spot. C
Execution: Speaking of that, the execution of these 'ads' wouldn't be half bad if the bras and models had been shown well to the camera, instead of being covered up by Mr. Pinkert. But what good is an ad if you can't see the product? D
Overall: Crappy pho-tos, but I blame the photographer. D+

Cycle 4: Lingerie, Part 2: In a Pillow Fight

Concept: Well, this is something that's cute, flirty, and almost original: sexy girl in pillow fight with sexy guy, while wearing underwear. Even though I'm not the target audience of a WonderBra ad, it manages to speak to the (pre)pubescent girl in me, and plus, I'm never opposed to putting more shirtless male models on this show. A
Composition: As the results attest, this is a very tricky concept for a model to execute, especially models that can't move on-camera without LoUBs washing over their faces. While the models, and the pho-tos, were able to capture a really great energy, many of the pictures are overwhelmed by feathers, and most of the girls are stuck in the shadows. B-
Execution: One or two of these pho-tos might make a really good ad, and some of the others would do well in the girls' portfolios, but many of these are just fun snapshots of a super-cool slumber party. C
Overall: Maybe you'll get lucky next time, girls. C+

Bonus!
Cycle 10: Lingerie, Part 3: In Front of a Bridge

Concept: A small amount of background: since Cycle 4, ANTM has been filming in LA instead of NYC, while at the same time upping the ante on how outlandish and gimmicky the pho-to shoots can be. For Cycle 10, along with a move back to NYC, the show went partially back-to-basics, with this shoot exemplifying the shift. It hearkens back to the first bikini shoot: nothing complicated, just semi-nude girls with the city as a backdrop. B+
Composition: Pho-to wise, this is a pretty solid shoot, although the sun is playing hide-and-seek again. This shoot is all about the girls and how well they can carry the lingerie, and they played well to their strengths in their individual pho-tos. A-
Execution: Unlike both of the above shoots, the lingerie can actually be seen, proudly on-display, in all of the pho-tos. After 10 cycles of this, they finally got it right! On top of that, there are quite a few really striking shots that would make excellent ads, and the girl (sans Dominique, natch) look like good models. A
Overall: When it comes to lingerie, less is more. A+