Episode 1: Top Photographer with Nigel Barker

www.adorama.com
In the first episode of Top Photographer with Nigel Barker, contestants arrive to New York and get right to work with a sports action themed challenge. Tune in to see who prevails as our contestants get the opportunity to shoot an Olympic athlete just back from Rio.
Sponsored by Canon and shot on Canon Cinema EOS.
Host:
Nigel Barker
www.nigelbarker...
Special Guest Judges:
David Bergman
www.davidbergma...
Ben Lyons
www.theplayerst...
Special Guest:
Miles Chamley-Watson
www.mileschamle...
Framework Productions
www.frameworkpr...
Contestants:
Andrew Kearns
www.andrewtkear...
Scott Borrero
www.scottborrer...
Roxy Rodriguez
www.roxyrodrigu...
Jamiya Wilson
www.jamiyawilso...
Chris Palermo
www.palermovisu...
Camera Gear Available to the Contestants:
Canon EOS 1DX Mark II
www.adorama.com...
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
www.adorama.com...
Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM
www.adorama.com...
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
www.adorama.com...
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
www.adorama.com...
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT 1.4x
www.adorama.com...
Canon Speedlite 600 EX II-RT
www.adorama.com...
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT
www.adorama.com...
Manfrotto XPRO 4-Section Monopod, Carbon Fiber
www.adorama.com...
Manfrotto 055 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with XPRO Ball Head
www.adorama.com...
Profoto Lighting Gear Available to the Contestants:
Profoto B1 500 AirTTL Battery Powered Monolight Flash
www.adorama.com...
Profoto D1 500/500 Air Studio Kit
www.adorama.com...
Light Shaping Tools / Modifiers
www.adorama.com...
Like, share, and comment on the video below...let's get the conversation started!
If you have questions, please share them below.

[@ChazWright]

Why do these kind of shows always send someone home after the first challenge? They should let them all compete in every challenge to give them a chance to show their strengths as well as their weaknesses. We can watch them learn and grow. They all have different styles, experiences, and abilities. We could see their overall work as a whole and then choose a winner.

[@DavidSkok1]

Chaz Wright - I agree. Each of them came in with a particular specialization. It would have been cool to see how that worked out over time in the different exercises. (But I still liked the show.)

[@anubhavbodh289]

Chaz Wright so true! I'm a subscriber to Andrew Kearns and I've seen his potential. I mean, he gets engaged with his subjects but here in the show he didn't might because it was first time and got nervous and obviously he mentioned "studio photography is not my style" so I agree with you totally..

[@Shmaltz1]

Chaz Wright I totally agree. What they also could have done was provide the photographers with models/theme/props etc and have them capture that stuff in their unique style. This first challenge didn't really make much sense in terms of who's a better photographer as there wasn't a fair playing field.

[@epicurmel5156]

Chaz Wright I totally agree with you!

[@aycdphoto7695]

Chaz Wright I had the same comment. Would have loved to see what he can actually do.

[@CmonCuhh]

Adorama is like the old dad photographers with all the rules you HAVE to follow

[@Aditya-sx2on]

CmonCuhh so true

[@Fr0mDust2Dust]

This is so on point!

[@z8tes]

Was definitely only watching for Andrew :(

[@zeon949]

Same

[@AndyFeliciotti]

Same!

[@sierrajoe4378]

Same

[@andrewtkearns]

same

[@susansassaki5082]

Same!

[@amber-fz6rj]

really disappointed in the sports photographer judge (don't recall his name) just because a photograph doesn't fit "your style" doesn't mean it isn't good. every photographer has a different style, it doesn't have to fit your personal approach of how you'd photograph someone. yikes

[@danielunedi]

Boo, I wanted to see Andrew continue on. I think he would've shot some really great stuff.

[@AndreaRodriguez-kn1nm]

that's my sister! Go Roxy! #teamroxy

[@siscopiso]

SPOILER ALERT I think it was a bit unfair for the guy who went first, the others had lots of time to think about the setup and their idea how they wanted to approach it. Anyways love the show already, thanks for all the effort put into it.

[@robbieking8666]

Andrew had zero studio experience. He just runs around and shoots stuff in nature, so determining he isn't the best photographer by making him do studio says nothing about his work.

[@anthonigrande]

And quite more unfair if you think about the first one is the one who has nothing to do with action, but has with what the challenge is about on next episode. As an Andrew's work fan, I really can get his shot wasn't a wining one (and I didn't liked at all the cropping) but I don't think this was the best "way" to test 'em.

[@ravemonkey78]

I've come into this blind, but what could've been good would've been a natural light location shoot and a studio shoot. Then choose a winner and a loser based on thier 2 best images.

[@LiamD117]

I was only watching this for Andrew...

[@AlergicToSnow]

Whoever came up with this idea deserves a gold star. Fabulous.

[@LateNightHomework]

Finally a show I can relate to....well done.

[@camNfamILY]

Sports photographer judge is annoying. If the point is to showcase a photographers creativity , why take it away by not liking their style.

[@Fr0mDust2Dust]

He really looked like he didn't give a sh**

[@cowboy_crow]

camNfamILY Dude I want to punch him in the face lol. I'm a big fan of Andrew's work. (The first guy) and when he was dogging on his style I wanted to rage lol

[@alexandre..9343]

i agree with the sports photographer judge though, 9 times out of 10, i want to shoot an athlete in action from a low position as i can get. Makes it more dramatic. Andrew's picture WAS beautiful, but not an action shot

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

@greg parch Which photo(s) were "good" in your opinion since you are offering it? Not that I thought it was that good, but there were several far worse including one that didn't even meet the task assigned by the "client".

[@leedomcreations5082]

Here to support my boy Andrew Kearns. get it dude!

[@jarvishughes]

I LITERALLY just came to see Andrew.

[@yih]

Watching for Andrew.

[@yih]

He'd have done an amazing job in the city... but I'm not going to continue watching now that he's gone. Cheers and good luck to the others.

[@keithhutcherson7604]

This is awesome!!! Finally a youtube.TV series channel that us photographers can watch. Not knocking the other channels i also watch them as well too...

[@joelcleare]

A show focused on photography !! Love it. Keep them coming.

[@mbwindows7]

Why didn't anyone get Miles to hold or wear his Olympic medal??? I love the show it is great, keep up the great work!

[@CRXSLY]

Finaly!! a reality show on photography! :D

[@johncantrell614]

Unless it was for advertising for the camera brands, why not have them run with the equipment that they brought with them? Learning your camera well to the point of being second nature is one of the things that I have heard many experienced photographers telling armatures, so it would seem that if they did not mess with having to experiment with a camera that they may have never used before right at the competition, you would have gotten the best images out of them. Or am I wrong with that?

[@kdscy]

John Cantrell technically right but there's some flaws that come to mind if everyone had their personal camera in this scenario. To have the same general equipment and camera used creates fluidity. No wondering about compatibility issues between lights and camera. All raw files read and render the same. Everyones able to take advantage of the same quality glass. No one has an arguable unfair advantage regarding gear by doing it this way. It's certainly a plug in for Canon, and there's no perfect way to go about it all, but I think regardless it's probably the best way for what it is. Feel free to chime in anyone

[@taemobig2006]

A professional photographer can use any camera, regardless of brand. I've assisted photographers who shot with a Nikon one day, a Canon the next day, and then a Hasselblad right after. As long as they knew which aperture, ISO, shutter, focal length they needed, it didn't matter which camera it was.

[@fashnfotog]

Thank you Jun for your observation, as a pro for over 25 years, am I the only one to have noticed (very important part here) in the episode when Nigel offers his very experienced and amazing 1st assistant to ALL contestants to use. As a pro your job is to think of how to shoot and produce a winning shot, conceptualize in your mind, think creatively... all the while if you are not familiar with the "mechanical aspect" like the cameras and lights, then ask your 1st. assistant to set things up for you the way you (the photog) see it in your minds eye! Just a tip for an old school dude... it is a competition after all, listen for the nuances and clues throughout the show!

[@sanjeevansinha7023]

Andrew gone, sorry ain't watching this anymore.

[@sssukri]

SAME.

[@JTnoP]

yeah im out

[@bigboi7607]

Sanjeevan Sinha same

[@samanshp]

I don't understand why David is pushing so hard on capturing the "essence" of the athlete. How do expect them to do that when they don't even know him? If you think you can do it in 30 seconds, that's because you get to research your subjects well before picking up the camera. Despite the bad crop, Andrew's shot was the best. Considering the fact that he was the first photographer to shoot, his nervousness at the beginning seems pretty natural to me.

[@TheVisualVanguard]

man I thought I was the only one that felt that way, his composition/ framing was better and his lighting was much more dynamic. Also I was surprised that no one seemed to be using the burst modes, I mean if your going to shoot action why do it in single shot with a 1dxmkii?

[@alexandre..9343]

ditto.. with a D5 too.... and 1DX.. best burst cameras on the planet :)

[@alexandre..9343]

nor was I. Nor do i think the "essence" of him, or an olympiad fencer is not having his eye on the target... Roxie's is more a caricature of fencing, and a caricature of the essence of Miles...

[@king2kx]

nice show! looking forward to this season.

[@TheBrandonAndre]

This is absolutely cringeworthy. This why I abhor shows like America's Next Top Model & now this one. It presents a false reality of how it really is being in this industry. First off... you're going to fly out 6 different photographers who shoot 6 different genre's of photography and then expect them for the first challenge to shoot an action shot??? That's the equivalent of asking Kanye West to sing a ballad, Adele to start rapping, or Beyonce to sing country music. You guys literally threw them in a room a said 'shoot a great action shot if you do bad you lose.' WHAT THE HECK. Did you even teach them how to use studio lighting?? That's why shows like this present a false reality. Just like on ANTM. Those girls were expected to learn how to move in front of a camera and the whole show forgets the development phase. Models in real life are DEVELOPED before they're expected to shoot in high end campaigns. No one should ever just be thrown into doing something for the first time and then expected to be great. Secondly, the whole show is awkward. Like commentary on a photographer during a photoshoot? really? "it's underexposed." Great drama! The most exciting parts of a shoot isn't the technical parts, but the atmosphere and people. None of that was captured here. The winner gets an upgraded room? wow. Get eliminated or get a bigger bed... hmmm... This whole show is pretty much a joke. I mean don't get me wrong... This show is a brilliant marketing move for Nigel Barker. This is totally going to be great for your brand (assuming people actually watch it) and career, but if people watch this to get an idea of how it's like being a photographer I'd say you have better chances listening to Britney Spears to learn how to sing.

[@samanshp]

EXACTLY!(except for the lighting part)

[@WoodyONeal]

Brandon Andre contestants on cooking shows know how to break eggs (and not get shell in the bowl) so not knowing how to use lights (studio or not) is no excuse. The contestants signed up willingly and should have an understanding of basic lighting techniques. Hell, that Profoto gear with AirTTL is dead simple anyway. Anyone can get a good exposure.

[@TheBrandonAndre]

I think whether they knew how to use it or not is moot. Not every genre of photography requires studio lighting, so I don't think any of them should have been expected to. But that's neither here nor there... I'm sure they showed them how to use the lights off camera, but why not let the viewers see that. They jump into this idea that they're expected to know this stuff.... just like in ANTM they expected the models to know how to move without every teaching them... That's where I feel like it's unnatural.

[@profjensen]

lol after eliminating andrew nobody will watch this.

[@andrewtkearns]

Brandon Andre bear in mind they chose us 5 out of thousands of entires. Basing it completely off our work and skill already put forth, what we've already produced from our experience. Sucks that the first challenge was my weakness but the right decision was made. Sorry this wasn't your thing man!

[@scotttate1400]

AdoramaTV thanks for this show. Photography related shows come and go so let's hope this continues.

[@philmoran5898]

loved watching this, professionally shot etc. Like watching a tv programme if you get my meaning. really well done everyone involved.

[@RagmarPhotography]

Great show

[@AdamFavre]

Enjoyed this episode tremendously. looking forward to episode 2.

[@MT-jf1tn]

Great video! go roxy

[@AllenRReid]

Great first episode. The show was also well shot and edited. Kudos to the behind the scenes staff.

[@PreeminentbrandsNet]

Love this show one of my new favorites

[@Adorama]

Glad you are enjoying it!

[@extendedfilmproject6789]

Same here...very entertaining. Must watch...intense. I want to see everyone do well!!!!

[@steadyko7708]

Adorama Andrew got robbed

[@iAmDFreeman]

This is a great idea. Definitely looking forward to seeing more of this series.

[@BobLester33761]

Awesome !!!!! Can't wait for next episode.

[@lishenye]

ANDREW KEARNS !!!!

[@LakerTriangle]

Yes Yes Yes! Thank you for this.

[@EyeoftheAbyss]

I love this, I was so excited watching this. It's unfortunate that Andrew not only was not a studio photographer, but had to go first! I'm not sure his signature style shooting down is bad, if anything, shooting up at athletes seems almost expected and cliche. I definitely like Roxy's photo the most! Miles is so large her approach simply works.

[@MikeEdwardsphotography]

Only watched to support Andrew. Andrew's out. I'm out.

[@SDA0271]

Nice job on this show! Very enjoyable. Great job by Roxy winning the first challenge. Her photo definitely stood out and earned the win!

[@maxxuman9915]

I knew he was in trouble when I saw the sandals with socks.

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

In terms of the excellence of their photography the photographer's may be better than their judges opinions of them, regardless of how well they fulfilled the assignment's brief. Kudos to all the photographer's for both their efforts and their finished photos and their individual styles whether it conforms to the judges style/preferences or not.

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

To echo? Brandon's thoughts below, you hire a photographer for who s/he is and their style of work, not what you want them to be. Square peg, round hole, don't fire a triangle because they're not round enough for you, appreciate their "triangularity".

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

"I once shot an elephant wearing a Leica in my pajamas... how he could afford the Leica I'll never know..." Groucho Holga Marx

[@romanspataro1688]

We're at a new age in photography and these judges need to get with it...

Great show. Greetings from beautiful Costa Rica.

[@AnthonyTerlizzi]

Perhaps in next seasons first episode you let them know the types of challenges they will face, but not what order. Then they can all pick each others brains and see who will share useful information (perhaps a gem will be shared to the viewers at some point). Then in the 2nd episode start with the trials and eliminations. This way we get to know a bit of the personalities of the photographers and they can start to get their brains wrapped around what they are up against over all if they make it through.

[@1BigBucks1]

Roxy made the best image. Good show.

[@appartement2046]

Thank you for providing great entertainment for us photo geeks!!!

[@teullet1]

That was awesome!

[@rrandolph1234]

This is dope

[@Alejandros1976]

Great Competition !!!

[@hieubui4435]

came for Andrew

[@heatherbuczek895]

LOVE THIS SHOW... I thought something like that should belong on TV... Not just KZbin!!!

[@LindaSmith-ty6nq]

Great show! Looking forward to the next episode.

[@villegas24]

Love this series

[@nagelc27]

This was awesome , it should be a daily show

[@eiriksommervold8718]

Andrew's out, I'm out.

[@delmawebb8118]

Inspiring show for emerging and professional photographers who normally do not shoot in the studio. Good pick for the first photographer to win. She had the best image in the photo. Good Show. Congratulations Nigel Barker on your show.

[@oneroutemedia3861]

We agree! what was your favorite part?

[@delmawebb8118]

My favorite part of the show was watching the photographers in their creative mode to get that right shot.

[@lgilmore66]

Loved seeing not only the photos but the process that went into each one. Congrats to them all. Big shout out to my homeboy, Chris!

[@promoartephotography488]

Love the show! Great work to all photographers and best of luck. Top level presenters and judges .

[@Chosen_Waves_Music]

Awesome show!!!

[@URZDJ]

one thing for sure is that, for those who are learning about photography, we do get to learn a lot from these episodes.

[@WilSensing]

Pretty disappointed in both Nigel and David Bergman as judges. These photographers were picked based on what they're good at. So to say that one doesn't fit the exact style they're looking for in a shoot thats completely out of their element is pretty close minded. Give them a chance to show their expertise.

[@qnetx]

Nice idea but I'm not a big fan of these overly sensationalized (cue dramatic music), scripted reality/contest shows.

[@Fr0mDust2Dust]

Totally agree. If they focused on more of the technical parts of the photographers styles, and focused less on dramatic music and trying to build suspense it would be way better.

[@3iPhones1]

Tolle Serie und man lernt auch noch was dazu.Danke

[@jalendvenn7990]

love this series!!! Can't wait to see more!!!!:)

[@photocreativity]

Wonderful show. I always wanted to see something like this. Great job guys.

[@PaparazziMarc]

Thank you AdoramaTV!!!!! Loving this show...

[@ArteagaProductions]

awesome! make it an hour long!

[@bossman408]

Awesome show I hope for more in the future.

[@gelineavenir5905]

I like this show, It's educational!

[@jaze8463]

I was also just watching because of Andrew.. I was so excited and curious about how he will succeed and now he's off...

[@eachandeverydoor1800]

Bummer. Team Kearns!

[@barends8589]

Great show, I like the idea that a natural talented photographer has to move out of his/ her comfort zone and start shooting something they aren't experienced with. True talent always steps forwards, no matter if the photographer is familiair with a setting for a shoot or not. Bring on the next episode!

[@cameronmccrea5835]

Kearns!!!!!

[@MitchGurowitz]

At least no one got a bad tattoo! I would have liked to see a few competitions before they started eliminations. While I don't disagree with the decision, I'd like to have seen more of his work.

[@djgbjg22]

Thanks for subtitling! Love it!

[@ivanrib2]

Nice show

[@magalloninstruments]

more please!

[@NisalahArmstrong]

Can't wait to see the next episodes

[@GonzaloRangel]

LOOOOVED IT!

[@MichaelHodge]

Quite impressive stuff. Looking forward to seeing more. Thank you @ AdoramaT.V.

[@pennymiller5418]

OMG! Yes! Love Nigel Barker and love watching talented people competing honestly. So tickled!

[@kpotato6080]

Yessssss!!! 😊😄😱 This is so awesome! Im so excited!

[@NickFancherphoto]

This show would benefit massively from not only being a full hour but also starting with at least 12 contestants. Give them time to grow, maybe work as a team and do a range of diverse challenges. Photography as a practice is about as diverse as music. To try and sum up the spectrum of the art in 5, 20 minute episodes is an exercise in futility. Excitedly hoping for a more flushed out second season.

[@obayedh]

A fantastic initiative - love it. Thanks to Adorama and the organizers :)

[@ZenoWatson]

Loved it. And goes to show there is more to photography than just a camera.

[@judithlasnier]

What a great oportunity !! And that is a great contest. I am sooooooo jalous!!!

[@marcioaraujodelima]

Thank you for this, Adorama!

[@gwendevah1]

Great show! Thank you

[@tishagraves9817]

Love the show!

[@NightLinks]

Great show! Going to binge watch the rest of the shows now...

[@EricAdeleye]

Excellent episode. I look forward to seeing more.

[@kingskid96]

OMG!!! 1. Nigel is one of my favorites! 2. Why didn't I know about this competition.... I would have entered!!! I love this....!!!

[@kurtlindner]

Early on it's clear Nigel understands, as do all viewers, the other two judges have no places being here and are completely out of their league.

[@CiusVues]

Very cool show. I've watched the fashion shows and what not for years, FINALLY a show about the photographers. Great show guys, I look forward to the next episode.

[@Guprogmetal]

Andrew is too good to use only VSCO presets in his pictures. I loved Roxy pictures and how she managed the shooting. She was the best in my opinion!

[@HammysWorld91]

Am hooked now on this show

[@jimkearns534]

I like the clip, but why eliminate people, you have so much in personalities here before us and you whittle them away? I would rather see them stay throughout the show seeing how they standout in their own ways, maybe how they grow, what they learn, etc. It would be nice to see them all compete throughout the course of the show and have a winner at the end but still see where each one shines. Sure maybe Andrew didn't overwhelm in this one episode but he has talent just like all of them. I would have liked to see you do something other than the cookie cutter format for an elimination show. What if it wasn't this first shoot but a different one to start off the show... would someone else be going off the show? Good show none the less, like the idea and look forward to more.

[@sheveeta]

Loved episode 4, Scott you are proving yourself. Really liked your pictures.

[@latinofilmmaker]

Fantastic program!

[@gurudeclan]

HOLY SHIT AWESOMEMMME NESS

[@EverythingFilmmaking]

Man I wish I would have made the cut..

[@allennopphotography]

Me too, made top 1000 lol

[@dokksavage8286]

Chris Cheek me too I'm up for he challenge.

[@oneroutemedia3861]

here's hoping for next time!

[@heatherfeather9269]

LOVE it!! Love the whole vibe of the show. Very polite and professional (so far) no stupid, distracting drama.