Cloud Strife -Advent Children ver.-

while i thoroughly enjoyed advent children, i was disappointed by the lack of the original buster sword for battle use. the fact that you have recreated the first tsurugi so accurately, as well as the outfit, is an amazing credit to your craft. the pose is not the most unique, but there is only so much that a person can do to showcase the finer points of the outfit and weapon, as well as not kill the model. i am equally appreciative of the model's musculature syncing up with cloud's. he is muscular, but not overtly. it's there, but not as overstated as barrett, or a bodybuilder.

the framing of the picture is excellent. the head resides slightly above the midplane of the photo, and a little to the right. the darker portion of the outfit balances nicely with the slightly darker walls in the top left. the negative space around the sword makes for easier noticing of the detail in the blade and hilt. the head and hair disappear a bit in the lighter background, but the focus pulls the sharp lines into a contrast with the blurred background.

the black-and-white also improve the concept of the shot, by making the focus not on colors, but on the details of the clothing. the folds of the sleeve, the buckles and zippers, even the laces on the boot have more substance when not presented against a tan or brown backdrop.

all in all, a masterful shot. excellent model, costume, and location.