Miss TWA 2015 - The Journey Begins

The last two years I have entered the Miss TWA pageant, and last year I even made it to the finale. This year I have some additional modeling experience and hopefully will be able to use a better computer in case I make it to the finale. But I am getting ahead of myself, let me take a step back.

Two days ago, Friday 7 August 2015, the contest was announced in a group notice with a notecard attached outlining the rules for participating. I actually did a fistpump-yes! on the couch as I saw the notice, I was afraid I had missed it while I took a short break from Second Life.

For those who might not know, Miss TWA is a pageant organized by The White Armory, one of my favorite stores in Second Life. Absolutely gorgeous medi-fantasy clothing on one side and amazing weaponry on the other. I highly recommend a visit if you have never been there.

For my contest entry I chose a fairly recent release, Phoenix Rising, which is a collaboration with TWA and NSP/[MUSE]. I took a few different shots in the same pose but with different backgrounds and lighting. It was a difficult choice, the outfit looks good no matter what, but I could only send in one. I decided to show all of them here because they were all good. It helped to that I was on my mom's computer, which I have the use of this month while she's out hiking, and it is far less laggy than my regular craptop, and has a much better graphics processor.

Without further ado, the pictures in the order I took them:

I thought this background would look cool. I was wrong. At least in this case it takes away focus from the outfit. Which still looks amazing by the way.

I think I did a little better with this one, although there is still too much going on in the background. And the colors are too similar to the subject (i.e. the outfit).

Here I used only a part of a picture, editing it onto the photo backdrop to only show the part I wanted. I also added a light prim (just a box that emits light) to get the lit up face with the midnight sun setting. This one made my short list.

Same as the last one, with a different background. This one also made my short list, but it looked a bit too angelic. Still, I'm rather happy with it. Not bad for an amateur.

Next I tried basic black and white backgrounds. The black was too black so I added a little bit of shine to the photo backdrop. I don't hate it, is the best I can say about the white. The black is a little better, but only because it sets off the subject better.

And lastly, the one I picked to be my contest entry for Miss TWA 2015...

Phoenix Rising from the ashes of a burning world.

I think the symbolism in the picture speaks for itself. I am quite happy with how it turned out to, especially with how little work I put into it.

The outfit/dress is by The White Armory, all the accessories (wings, staff, headdress, footwear) are by NSP/[MUSE]. The landmark will land you in front of The White Armory, but just turn around and walk the other way to find NSP/[MUSE], or use the teleporter. You should visit, their stuff is fabulous.

Also, the hair is Celestial by rezology.

The background image for my contest entry was made by Ciocoveanu Radu. Check out his other stuff on DeviantArt and on his blog, he's very talented.

There you have it. Feel free to leave a comment if you want. Or not. Whatever. I may post more pictures related to the contest if I make the cut.