AdoramaTV News: ‘Through The Lens’ Heads to Japan, Hong Kong; Scott Borrero Wins ‘Top Photographer with Nigel Barker’

In a pair of AdoramaTV programming annoucements, season three of Adorama’s online docu-series – “Through The Lens” – will travel to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hong Kong, while Scott Borrero has been named the very first winner of the inaugural season of “Top Photographer with Nigel Barker”.

AdoramaTV’s “Through The Lens” Season Three Takes Viewers to Japan, Hong Kong
Season three of Adorama’s online docu-series, “Through The Lens” (“TTL”) – which premiered on December 2 online on AdoramaTV – will travel across the globe to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hong Kong to explore the inspirational stories behind some of the region’s most popular photographers.

Watch the trailer for season three of “Through The Lens”now on AdoramaTV and be sure to follow #TTL on Instagram.

“Having explored domestic talent and their stories on the past two seasons of ‘Through The Lens,’ it was important for us to celebrate international artists, whose work is just as accessible thanks to the vibrant communities fostered by social media,” says Salvatore D’Alia, senior producer at Adorama. “Adorama is so pleased to be working with these distinguished artists, and we look forward to sharing their inspirational stories, tips and techniques with our viewers in season three of ‘TTL.’”

Each episode of “Through The Lens: Japan & Hong Kong” follows a different photographer as they take viewers through their process of creating, capturing and sharing beautiful images with the world. From hobbyist to freelance to professional photographer, the series documents image makers of every kind, a nod to the opportunities Instagram has made possible. For commercial photographer Keiko Kosaka (@wacamera, episode 4) of Osaka, Japan, Instagram is a place to enjoy, explore and evolve her unique style of creativity. “The one thought that’s always with me is that I want to share mysterious and beautiful images,” she says, “and I say images because a lot of my work contains prominent editing and is not just purely photography.”

“TTL” also tells the stories of those who have turned their passion into a dream job, such as Hiroaki Fukuda (@hirozzzz, episode 6), a former businessman in Tokyo, who became a professional photographer after gaining huge popularity on Instagram and catching the eye of big brands including Nike and Christian Dior.

Season three of “TTL” is the show’s first venture into international territory, as the first season explored New York City photographers in season one, then expanded its reach nationally, showcasing photographers from Chicago, Portland, Seattle, LA and San Francisco in season two. Viewers can look forward to topics ranging from iPhone photography and food, to aerial, travel, culture, landscapes and abstract photography.

“Through The Lens: Japan & Hong Kong” on AdoramaTV will feature visual artists @_tuck4, @lielaine, @_f7, @wacamera, @halno, @hirozzzz, @chiaoking, @edwardkb, @mr007, @najii66, @yuma1983, @vdubl and @wagnus, who will be sure to share their favorite tools and tips in each episode.

In addition to hundreds of thousands of followers, artists featured on this season’s “Through The Lens” have lent their skills to campaigns for brands such as Adidas, Adobe, American Express, Land Rover, Nike, Volkswagen and Tommy Hilfiger to name a few.

Catch “Through The Lens: Japan & Hong Kong” Fridays at 11am EST
“Through The Lens” offers an interactive experience that caters to the young, social media savvy audience, introducing them to photography from a relatable perspective. New episodes go live Fridays at 11am EST. Visit the AdoramaTV site to watch full episodes of “Through The Lens.”

Scott Borrero Named Winner of Adorama’s ‘Top Photographer with Nigel Barker’
In other AdoramaTV programming news, Scott Borrero has been named the very first winner of the inaugural season of “Top Photographer with Nigel Barker,” AdoramaTV’s brand new web series competition pitting five photographers against one another in a series of challenges to prove they had not only the skills, but the vision to become Top Photographer.

In the first season of “Top Photographer with Nigel Barker” presented by Adorama and sponsored by Canon, five contestants, hand-picked by Nigel Barker himself – Andrew Kearns, Jamiya Wilson, Chris Palermo, Scott Borrero and Roxy Rodriguez – were put to the test, showing off their skills in sports, fashion, landscape and freestyle photography. The final challenge came down to Roxy Rodriguez and Scott Borrero in a two-part season finale. In the final episode, host Nigel Barker and guest judges Joe Zee (editor-in-chief and executive creative officer of Yahoo Style) and Coco Rocha (the world’s first digital supermodel) chose Scott Borrero to take the title of “Top Photographer.”

“It feels incredible really, though I don’t think it’s fully set in yet,” says Borrero of being named “Top Photographer.” “I feel I owe some thanks and gratitude to the other contestants; without them I don’t think I could have done it. Roxy, Jamiya, Chris and Andrew all had some part in my success, by believing in me. I just hope I can carry the title of ‘Top Photographer’ with grace and exhibit the same characteristics I admire in Nigel, who is the original Top Photographer.”

In addition to being named the first-ever “Top Photographer,” Scott Borrero will receive a grand prize valued at $50k, which includes a photography equipment package provided by Adorama, as well as a photo exhibition event in New York City hosted by Nigel Barker.

Scott Borrero’s winning image

As the world’s fascination with photography in all its styles, genres and forms reaches fever pitch, the timing for season one of ‘Top Photographer” could not have been better. Nigel Barker comments, “With more than a billion people worldwide armed with a camera and making waves in the photography world via Instagram, Snapchat and the internet in general, there’s a real demand and appetite for knowledge on how to take a better shot. ‘Top Photographer’ set out to help fill that void by selecting five brilliantly talented shooters hand-picked from thousands of entries, to compete against one another to see who had the overall excellence to win the title of Top Photographer. Through a series of challenges, our contestants battled it out to prove that they have what it takes and that their signature style shone through.”

He continues, “I would like to congratulate all the contestants for working so hard and passionately like true professionals, with an extra special salute to Scott Borrero for making it to the top and doing so with true talent, grace and charm. I look forward to seeing all our contestants go from strength to strength, and to season two as we grow the ‘Top Photographer’ community!”

“The premier season of ‘Top Photographer’ brought us five incredibly talented photographers, each of whom brought their own unique flavor to the competition,” comments Lev Peker, chief marketing officer, Adorama. “Audiences worldwide tuned in not only to learn from these contestants, but to support them on their respective journeys, and it was really exciting to witness the engagement across so many channels. We’re so proud of all our contestants, and want to congratulate Scott on his achievement in being named the first ‘Top Photographer.’”

The first season of “Top Photographer with Nigel Barker” featured influential photographers, models, editors, designers and social media mavens as guest judges, including supermodel Coco Rocha, fashion editor Joe Zee, sports journalist Ben Lyons, designer Pamella Roland, the social media masters behind Beautiful Destinations Jeremy and Tom Jauncey, and world renowned photographers David Bergman and Emily Soto.

“I had no idea the contest was going to be such a learning experience as it was, but I should have guessed with a host like Nigel,” states Borrero. “The best advice I can give the contestants for future seasons is to listen to EVERYTHING Nigel and the judges say, because when they say something, they’ve got a reason.”

On the responsibilities of being named “Top Photographer,” Borrero says, “I want to leave a legacy of inspiration that will hopefully bring positive change to the world. I want to be the greatest photographer/visual artist in the world, and winning ‘Top Photographer’ sure helps me on that path.”

“Top Photographer with Nigel Barker” season one is available now to watch in its entirety any time on YouTube and AdoramaTV. Tune in now to the behind-the-scenes action on “Top Photographer with Nigel Barker.”