COLE: Previously on Exposure...
Today is all about photojournalism.
MARILYN: I'm ready. Let's go.
Yeah. Whoo!
KRYS: Do you want to laugh and smile and stuff?
I think that might be really cute.
More sprinkles! Really go big with the sprink.
JOSE: Stand together a little closer.
I wanted to focus on just the food.
COLE: It's hard for me to believe
that there's no approach inside that truck.
Marilyn, you get immunity
in the next Portfolio Challenge.
MARILYN: No way.
‐ Your next Portfolio Challenge,
you will be paired with local entrepreneurs
that immigrated from another country.
JOSE: Looking into the camera.
I have to come through,
and I have to make the top three.
I'm so nervous right now.
KRYS: I know this seems like me
doing my weird surrealist art.
COLE: Jose, you are the winner of this challenge
and the second member of our final three.
Tommy, congratulations.
Krys, you have been eliminated.
‐ Go win for me, okay?
COLE: Ready, set, shoot!
[upbeat drum music]
I'm Cole Walliser, director, photographer,
and content creator.
‐ And I'm Cat Jimenez, photography and founder
of Month of Photography LA.
‐ And this is Exposure.
‐ The first ever phone photography competition show.
‐ I got this!
‐ Where eight crazy talented photographers
are put to the test in a variety of challenges
testing their mobile photography skills.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
‐ Oh, what an empty work room.
‐ It's quiet now. Last week was pretty intense.
What do you guys think is next?
MARILYN: I don't know, but‐‐ ‐ Who knows?
‐ Sad, but I feel a lot better. Got my Krys shirt on.
‐ Yeah. You got the Krys.
Represent with the cheetah print.
‐ That means, Krys, you've been eliminated.
You'll be going home tonight.
‐ This is a platform. I am so grateful.
I don't feel sad at all.
‐ No matter what, we're here,
and we're top three. JOSE: Top three.
‐ Which is insane!
‐ Give me five. That's so sick.
Oh, you left me hanging.
MARILYN: It's, like, mind‐blowing to me
that I did this, that I'm even here.
I'm even in the top three. Like, it's insane to me.
Like, all of this feels extremely surreal.
‐ What's up? ‐ Hey!
‐ What's up? ‐ Dang, okay.
‐ How's it going.
‐ Turn it on for the final three.
‐ Yeah, let's go.
‐ Congratulations. The final three.
‐ Yes. Yay!
‐ We made it. Thank you.
‐ Since day one of this competition,
the three of you have created outstanding images
in every challenge imaginable.
♪ ♪
There were throwbacks, dancers...
‐ You look so good!
COLE: Musicians.
From documenting reality as photojournalists
to bending reality using surreal techniques,
you and your art have prevailed
all the way into the end,
and one of you will win the grand prize of a $250,000
photography contract from Samsung.
‐ It's pretty crazy.
‐ I actually do want this. I want to win this.
The neighborhood I grew up in,
I wasn't encouraged to express myself,
so I want to start something to help little kids in my area,
even if it's buying them a cell phone
or just showing them photography.
‐ Jose, how does it feel? ‐ I was pretty confident
coming in, and then that all broke down.
CAT: How many photos did you make in the process?
‐ Two.
‐ These are the only two photos that you took?
‐ You always want to take more than two photos.
JOSE: I will be taking way more than two shots,
you know, because I went from first place
to almost going home.
It's a roller coaster. But yeah,
I'm gonna see what happens, and may the best photo win.
‐ I'm so excited to be here, and I feel like
I've proven myself in a lot of different ways
that I didn't even think I could, so let's go.
‐ I don't know if I was mentally prepared
for all the selfies at the beginning,
and, like, once we got past that,
I've been enjoying myself a little more.
But these challenges are‐‐
I don't think you realize in the moment
how many, like, calories you're burning,
the stress you're going through, all that stuff.
I didn't take care of myself one day,
and it caught up with me,
but I've kind of gotten used to the flow of this
and preparing and resting and hydrating really well
so that I can just be myself.
‐ That's great. ‐ Yeah, I'm on
the Exposure workout plan, so I'm probably
really different from the first episode.
‐ Any one of you could be
the final photographer standing,
but to win, you have to face one last challenge.
All you have to do is take the photo of a lifetime.
‐ No big deal. ‐ Oh, no big deal.
‐ NBD. ‐ Done.
‐ Oh, just that? ‐ Oh, okay!
‐ No pressure.
‐ For this finale challenge, we're looking for you
to showcase your signature style
in the ultimate photo
that could take your career to the next level.
‐ Sounds cool.
‐ Each of you will be given a $7,500 budget
to get anything you could possibly need.
You can use props, models, pick a location.
Whatever you want. It's all up to you.
‐ That's way more of a budget
than I've ever worked with, which is really exciting.
‐ You'll have your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G phones
to capture your ultimate photos.
You have four hours to plan,
shoot, and edit the image of a lifetime.
‐ This is your big shot. We'll also give you
something else that's absolutely priceless.
‐ What could it be?
‐ Let's bring out your assistants.
[all cheering]
‐ Oh, my God! ‐ Yay!
[all talking at once]
‐ Long time no see!
TOMMY: We've gotten close in these weeks,
and when you go through an experience
like, being challenged day after day,
I mean, you can't help but bond.
‐ So good to see you guys again!
‐ Nice to see you.
‐ The final three. Each of you will be assisted
by one of these amazing photographers.
We drew your names at random
to determine who would pick their assistants first.
Marilyn?
‐ Me? ‐ You get first choice.
‐ Ooh!
‐ Who is gonna assist you in the final challenge?
‐ Can it be random?
[laughter] TOMMY: We're doing random.
‐ I'm gonna pick middle.
COLE: Krys. ‐ Me.
You're okay with that? You want me to help you?
Yes? All right.
Come on, sister! Let's win!
‐ The next photographer picking their assistant is Tommy.
‐ You guys are both amazing.
I've been so inspired by Parker,
so I would love to choose you.
‐ I will happily assist you. ‐ Thank you!
‐ Let's go! [all cheer]
JOSE: We're back in it. Over here.
‐ This is it. One image, one final shot.
Ready?
‐ Yup.
‐ Your final challenge starts now.
Get the shot!
CAT: Good luck, you guys!
MONROE: Whatcha thinking?
‐ I'm glad you're on my team. ‐ Yes.
‐ So, this is my concept.
I'm gonna have five gangster‐looking people,
all dressed up.
People are going to first see a photo,
and it's gonna look like they're holding guns,
but it's actually just musical instruments
and it's a beautiful thing.
‐ I'm so happy I got you because I feel like, out
of everyone in the competition,
you really understand me as a person.
‐ Yeah. What's your story
you're telling? 'Cause you're big on stories.
‐ Kind of like, the inner demons that we have, you know?
And like, how we kind of exploit that inner demon
when we need to in emergency times,
like, when you're feeling anxiety or loneliness.
So one of my concepts too, is to have, like,
a "in case of emergency, break glass."
In our photo, though, the glass won't be broken
because we're now at a point in our lives
where we don't need all those vices as much.
‐ We heal ourselves, yeah. MARILYN: Yeah, yeah.
And I mean, if that's the case,
like, I want a devil girl inside, and‐‐
‐ What I'm doing is kind of, like, inspired
by, like, a music video.
‐ Okay. ‐ It's just like
all these people. They're in the TV,
but they're also in control of what their world is.
It's kind of like, controlling how people see you.
And like, you can control your narrative,
which I think is cool.
‐ Hell yeah!
‐ So that's kind of, like, the vibe.
‐ That's what my art is all about, honestly.
TOMMY: Yeah, yeah. ‐ Like, I'm glad we're paired.
JOSE: I'm not doing any Photoshop.
This is straight photo.
I think Tommy's gonna do the Photoshop route,
but, I mean, I'm a shoot photographer.
I'm gonna stick to my roots.
‐ You've gotten this far.
And you've done amazing in the competition.
There's nothing that you can't‐‐
you got to worry about nothing.
‐ And then I can show them my real style.
We're taking this home. ‐ Let's go.
♪ ♪
JOSE: I like, this look from here, maybe?
Then I want to shoot in the dirt.
But yeah, I like, this.
This looks very gritty. This looks very my style.
MONROE: You want to get the whole bridge at one point?
JOSE: No, I probably don't.
I just want to get focused on like, this area.
Just so you can get that shadow.
MONROE: Right. That line?
‐ Yeah. And you need this in here.
This is iconic LA.
It's like, everyone knows what this is.
‐ I have a hard exterior, and coming from the area
I came from, it was hard.
You know, my life could've went any other way.
Like, I could've ended up in jail forever.
But I found photography. I found these outlets.
This is exactly the lighting that I wanted right here.
I like, that back.
‐ Yeah. ‐ Yeah, it's sick.
People just need an outlet, and if they have an outlet,
they would be‐‐ their lives would be different.
MONROE: How's this look?
JOSE: No, I want more of the bridge.
This looks too bare. Let's keep walking.
We're on a time crunch, man.
[percussive music]
‐ Here with me, hi everybody!
SHANA: Hi. ‐ My name is Marilyn.
‐ Nice to meet you. I'm Shana.
MARILYN: Nice to meet‐‐ are you special effects lady?
‐ Yes, special effects. MARILYN: Okay, perfect.
Hair and makeup? ‐ Patrick.
‐ Perfect. Patrick.
‐ And you're my muse model.
Marilyn. Nice to meet you.
‐ Nice to meet you. ‐ Okay, so I actually...
privately want you guys to read this.
This is something I wrote.
If you can, I want you to read it first,
because you're gonna emulate a lot of these feelings.
My process is really different,
I feel, than a lot of other photographers'.
I don't visually see it first.
I write down a lot of my thoughts,
and I try to visualize what that looks like.
And sometimes, you know, the words are very abstract,
and the art can be abstract too.
The one thing I wanted to do was,
with the horns that you got, I was gonna attach them
actually to her hair instead of her forehead.
‐ Oh. ‐ I think that we can add
more volume if we wrap her hair around it.
‐100%, yeah. ‐ Yeah.
What I want you to feel is like,
you're inviting me into the dark side, basically.
I definitely want a lot of little details
to be perfect in my concept
because this competition has given me an opportunity
to show who I really am and through art.
I really like that you chose the same hue of red throughout
and that you're also wearing red.
That's pretty sick.
♪ ♪
TOMMY: Hey, guys. I'm Tommy.
‐ Hey, I'm Parker.
TOMMY: I'm going to composite two images together.
I got, like, these really cool old‐school, like, TVs
from the '70s and '80s, and I guess the whole story is,
use your voice because people are watching.
When I was younger, I was always an artist,
but didn't believe I could, like, make a life
for myself doing that.
So I kind of drowned that voice out.
But then, when I finally stepped into, like,
I feel like, my purpose,
like, life opened for me. So that's the idea.
♪ ♪
I kind of see Kenji in this one.
I feel that vibe.
I'll be bouncing back and forth.
You know, a lot to juggle.
But you're gonna basically create‐‐
you're looking into a box.
I got this really cool vintage TV.
I think we're gonna go with this one.
♪ ♪
So we built up this set.
I got thermal blankets that have this kind of fun,
chrome‐y, tinfoil‐type texture to it.
It is pretty wild to be in the finale.
I wouldn't have accepted this opportunity
if I didn't think I could be here,
but it's one thing to, like, think that's within you,
and another thing to, like, actually go and do it.
Now I get to make something that I could only dream of.
For me, it's a very personal message
because there's so many people
who don't choose to do that thing that they want to do
because they're afraid of other people's opinions.
The main idea is that life gets really good
when you turn the volume up on like,
who you are and just, like, fully embrace, like,
your strengths or weaknesses, everything about you.
People are worried about rejections,
you know, being made fun of,
or not being accepted or not making it.
And the reality of life is like,
those things can all still happen,
so better to, like, be true to who you are and chase that,
and, like, go for it,
rather than, like... That's the one.
Doubting yourself before you even give yourself a shot.
♪ ♪
‐ A couple of violins.
‐ These are easy to hold because‐‐
‐ I'm not gonna use that. That guy's good.
So we got one, two, three, four.
I might even just take this off
so it can be like a little sawed‐off.
This is sick. Okay.
I like two violins. The story behind this photo is,
you know, I want to put a bunch of gangster‐looking people,
kind of looking like they're holding guns,
but I switched it with musical instruments.
I picked you guys, and you guys all look the part.
You guys are all good.
My dream has been to save the hood since I was 19.
And yeah, I just want to, like, bring awareness
to the huge situation that's happening,
especially in the gang life in LA.
I do this in New York called God Saved the Hood,
so it's like, I want to teach the youth
that there's other options in life‐‐
‐ Oh, man, I'm all about that. JOSE: Create, like...
‐ That's my mission myself.
JOES: Yeah, it's good. It's crazy.
I think it's gonna be good.
MODEL: Yeah, people need to see it visually, you know,
because they can only hear so much.
Go in one ear, out the other, just like us, you know?
JOSE: It's a powerful message, and I hope I can, like,
relate it through photography,
and you know, change something about it.
Gang members‐‐you know,
they're people at the end of the day.
They still have a heart. Like, they've just been dealt
the wrong card in life, and you don't understand that
until you're actually dealing with it, you know?
That's hard. And that's what my photo says.
Don't end up in a gulag, though.
[laughter]
♪ ♪
‐ Want it to go higher?
MARILYN: Yeah, let's wig it higher.
Higher than, like‐‐ if we can, yeah, I mean, like‐‐
PATRICK: Yeah, totally. ‐ Yeah.
‐ I could make it go up to here.
‐ Yeah, that'd be cool.
And then if‐‐ I don't how it would curl
back a little bit, but‐‐
‐ That? ‐ Yeah.
SHANA: Yeah, we can try and shape it to‐‐
MARILYN: I mean, that's already doing it.
Yeah, that's perfect. That looks so good.
My model is gorgeous!
The hair and makeup is on point,
and I got Krys for master of lighting and also vibes.
Like, he's the best co‐director I could ask for.
I'm shooting in pro mode right now
so I can get the sharpest image possible
and also have ultimate control
of how this is all gonna look in the end.
‐ I don't love anyone in this competition
as much as I love this one over here,
so yeah, I'm teaching Photoshop girl
how to do this all in the shot
so she doesn't have to take too much time editing.
It's gonna be easy peasy.
MARILYN: Thank you! ‐ You're welcome!
MARILYN: Lock that in. Okay.
I definitely need way stronger lighting, I feel.
Is there another side to this?
KRYS: And then here, help me out
and then I can help you with lighting.
‐ One and a half hours is down!
Whoo‐hoo! ‐ It's gonna be sick, yeah.
PARKER: Tommy's gonna win it, and he's gonna remember
little Miss Parker Day when he does.
TOMMY: Oh, I'll remember you. I'll never forget.
‐ Yeah, don't forget the little people, Tommy!
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
Reach out‐‐right, right.
Yeah, that's a good hand. MARILYN: That looks great.
TOMMY: Come on, don't be shy. Step inside.
I put my models in a fun sequence
where there's one in the front that's sort of leading the way
and breaking out of the TV.
So they're physically gonna look
like they're inside of the TV.
Essentially, you're reaching through the TV
and like, grabbing the dial.
They're sort of breaking out of that inner dialogue
that says, "Just be quiet.
Don't chase that dream. Don't be that person."
And there's sort of this
exuberant, like, excited expression
that's progressively getting closer to like,
the one who's breaking free and, like, leading the way.
Parker, what do you think of the light?
‐ Ooh, it looks so sick. ‐ It looks really cool.
‐ Holy cow.
Yeah, you guys kind of look like, a cool streetwear cult,
and I want to follow you anywhere.
[spacey music]
MONROE: No, it's fire.
JOSE: Is that spacing... ‐ No, you got to be angry.
MODEL: I got shot in the knee with a 40, so‐‐
‐ Nah.
[all talking at once]
‐ I made my parents think it's‐‐it was crazy.
They're both pastors.
It was a rough childhood for a little bit,
just because I wanted to go my own way.
And then point it at me. Yeah, that's sick.
Not only are they gonna be proud of the photo, it's like,
I've told them the concept for years and years and years,
and when I told them I had the dream photo to take,
they were just like, "You're gonna do it now."
‐ You on this side. You right here.
So I haven't been a full‐time assistant
in so long, but with all my photography friends,
we always help each other out,
and so for me, it was honestly not being an assistant.
It was more so helping a friend out.
Just gonna do some test shoots real quick.
♪ ♪
Yeah, too far in. MONROE: Yeah.
JOSE: I think the fence is cool,
but I think is a better composition.
I want you guys in, like, a little half a circle.
Let's all get closer.
And then I want this to stick out a little bit more.
And then you just stare at the camera
like you're really mean.
And that's the shot right there.
Three, two, one...
♪ ♪
All right, we're good here. Get in the other spot.
Whew! Thank you, guys.
In this competition, I was out of my comfort zone.
I'm a street photographer. I walk around all day.
Eat dollar pizza.
Always walking up to homeless people,
always talking to them. But this shoot, it's magical.
MONROE: Yeah, we don't need a reflector.
This is some good lighting.
‐ Oh, I know. ‐ I like the kind of shadows.
Very good. I like that.
Yeah, yeah.
JOSE: Okay, see how that looks.
MONROE: Ooh. JOSE: Let's do a wide angle.
MONROE: Yeah, that's nice. Yeah, lean into him.
Lean even more, even more. How's it looking?
JOSE: Nah, it looks good.
‐ Jose's shoot went amazingly, as I figured it would.
I mean, Jose's a street photographer,
so to see him in his element was definitely a gift to me.
I love the‐‐that cloud... JOSE: Yeah.
MONROE: In line with that blue.
JOSE: Mm‐hmm.
‐ I'm 100% sure Jose's gonna win it.
I've been Team Jose this whole time and so,
like I said, I'm excited to see what he does
and how he's going to wow the judges.
‐ Thank you guys so much. You guys did amazing.
You guys look good.
Let me show you a photo real quick,
just so you can see my vision right now.
MODEL: No way!
You did a great job. ‐ Yeah, it was fun.
Epic. We out.
‐ All right, one hour left, everyone.
One hour left.
‐ All right, let's put our girl in.
‐ Come on back, she‐devil.
MARILYN: [laughs]
[percussive music]
Nice.
Now you can work with the glass, too, as well.
Sick. Beautiful. I love that. You can see everything.
You can see your hair, your face.
Stick out your tongue a little bit when you do that.
Nice. Love that! Keep going, keep going!
KRYS: Yeah, play.
You're daring them to open this glass right now.
MARILYN: Yeah! That looks so good!
So, so good.
Yes, the lower you are, I think, the better.
Yes, yes, yes.
Tilt your head up just slightly.
Perfect.
KRYS: I'm gonna get you in my box,
and I'm gonna do bad things to you.
And you're not gonna like it.
‐ Perfect. Okay.
I mean, I don't know what more I could ask for, honestly.
‐ Three, two one. And this looks really cool.
Three, two, one.
I would love you all to be like‐‐
I want you to not feel disconnected from him.
Like, he's leading the way, and you're all breaking out
of it.
I feel like mine has potential.
I had a great time with the models.
They were amazing.
We finessed the posing and the emotion of it,
and I think I got it to a place that works.
So now it's just a matter of tying it all in together
and making it work.
Okay, I think we got something.
These are fun. These are cool.
MODEL: Yeah, oh my gosh.
‐ Amazing! ‐ Awesome, thank you.
That was fun.
‐ This is everything I ever wanted it to be and more.
So this is fully executed to perfection in my eyes.
So‐‐this is my work. This is me.
This is my colors. This is my concepts.
This is my brain, and yeah. I did it.
‐ Wow, there's just so many. Okay, okay, okay.
KRYS: There's so many. Okay, let's see.
MARILYN: I definitely want one with her tongue out, I think.
KRYS: Yeah, for sure.
‐ Yup.
So I definitely have to hone in
and really pick the best shot.
I need to focus on her facial expression,
and I think that that's going to be the hardest part
going into the edit,
is just choosing the right picture.
[upbeat music]
TOMMY: So I'm just combining. I'm cutting things out.
I'm rearranging them. I'm stacking them.
So playing with the transparency of things,
and just getting the shadowing and everything
so it just‐‐when your eyes see it,
it feels like one seamless image.
♪ ♪
COLE: Hey guys, we have 10 more minutes.
MARILYN: Blah!
[heavy rock music]
♪ ♪
‐ It's a struggle. I would love more time.
I don't know. It looked better in my head.
♪ ♪
[tense music]
♪ ♪
TOMMY: Within the last five minutes,
I was just hoping
there would be, like, a moment in my editing
that, like, finally, it starts clicking for me,
and it's just, like, making visual sense,
but as time kept going down,
that moment never happened for me.
‐ Hurry up, Tommy!
‐ I don't like it at all.
♪ ♪
‐ Whew! Time's up guys.
‐ This is the worst I've felt this whole time.
I think I had a really strong concept, but I'm not happy.
This isn't my‐‐ this isn't my best work.
So I'm just frustrated and disappointed in myself.
If I would've just had my model in the front
pose slightly differently,
I could've come up with such a different photo.
Like, this is the ugly side of being an artist.
Like, we demand a lot from ourselves.
And I just‐‐I just didn't get it done today.
I'm just...
I'm just really bummed.
[crying]
[somber music]
♪ ♪
‐ You okay? ‐ No.
I went down a path I couldn't get back from.
‐ What do you mean?
‐ I'm gonna go check on Tommy.
‐ I know that feeling when you know
exactly what you're trying to do and it's not‐‐
‐ You good? ‐ Dude.
‐ Don't take it hard, bro.
‐ There was a certain vibe that I wanted to create,
and I don't connect with it. I don't like‐‐it's not like,
"This is who I am as an artist. Enjoy!"
Like...
It's just like, I just want to make like,
my coolest photo ever, and I didn't, so...
‐ You know, I'm sorry, man. ‐ It's okay.
TOMMY: I'm just really bummed because I made my bed
and I had to lie in it.
[peppy music]
♪ ♪
CAT: Hey, guys.
‐ Welcome, photographers,
to the Exposure grand finale.
Thousands of photographers across the country vied
for eight spots in this competition.
Now, we are down to the best of the best,
the final three.
Before the night is up,
one of you will be crowned
the very first Exposure champion
and win the grand prize,
a $250,000 photography contract from Samsung.
Now let's say hello to our esteemed judges,
this competition's reigning judge supreme,
Cat Jimenez.
‐ Hey, guys. I'm so proud of you.
I can't wait to see your work.
I feel like I've been on this roller coaster with you.
Congratulations in advance.
‐ Thank you. MARILYN: Thank you.
‐ And hailing from The Bronx, New York,
where she went from shooting
underground concerts and events
to stadium tours and global brand campaigns.
You've probably seen some of her iconic photos of artists
and athletes like LeBron James, Beyoncé, and Jay‐Z.
Here to help crown our winner, photo queenpin,
Raven B. Varona.
‐ Hi. [laughs]
JOSE: How's it going? How's it going?
‐ Thank you guys for having me.
I'm super inspired that you guys put yourselves
and your art in front of so many people to be judged.
I'm really excited to see what you come up with
and like, who is this photographer as a person,
and what is their message.
‐ All right, finalists.
You've had four hours to showcase
your signature style
by capturing your ultimate photograph,
a single image that tells your story
and has the ability to launch your career
to a whole new level.
Tonight, you will be judged on your creativity, execution,
and, of course, your signature style.
It's time to light up the world
on our monumental exhibition wall.
You guys ready?
MARILYN: Kind of. TOMMY: Ready as I'll ever be.
COLE: Let's do it. All right, Jose.
‐ Oh, God. COLE: You're up first.
[heavy music]
‐ What's up? ‐ Hi.
JOSE: So this is my story.
I came from the projects, Lower East Side.
Born and raised.
And then one day I saw this movie
called City of God.
This little kid with a camera, just, you know,
taking photos in the hood,
and that's what got me into photography at first.
And I feel like this photo
expresses everything I ever wanted to portray.
‐ Sick.
‐ My idea was to have a bunch of, like,
vato‐ looking dudes
and, like, confident‐looking dudes
holding musical instruments. I love classical music.
At first glance, it looks like it would be weapons.
It's like, classical with gangster.
All of these dudes come from a very rough background,
but they all have big hearts. They all come from families.
They just don't have any opportunity to get out.
If it wasn't for photography, I don't know where I would be.
‐ I can't believe this was taken on a phone.
‐ I know, yeah, right?
‐ This was all the phone.
For the kids at home that can't afford it,
that are from the hood, all you have is a cell phone.
You know, use it. And then dream big.
Almost every challenge, I was definitely, like, put
in positions where I was super uncomfortable.
This is the only time I got to actually,
like, do what I do.
‐ All of my inspiration has come from living in The Bronx.
So, Lower East Side, I get the, like, gritty,
we're like, we're built to be like, really tough and‐‐
‐ We're different. RAVEN: It's way more important
for the world to hear our stories
from the people that live them
versus people like, coming in
and not understanding it.
I love the composition, the color of the sky,
the location. This feels LA, to me,
from the styling, the variety of people,
the variety of age ranges. It's all‐encompassing,
so I understand what you were going for.
My only thing: I don't really understand the instruments
if you didn't tell me the story.
You have to kind of think of,
"If I wasn't standing by my photo to explain it,
"would somebody understand it,
and what message would they receive from it?"
COLE: This photo is very much Jose in style.
This intensity, the aspects of the composition,
the color of the sky. Stylistically,
this feels super cool and it feels very Jose,
so I definitely commend you on that.
Talking about how you have navigated your way through life
and out of the hood, essentially,
that the story in your work is super strong.
But when you said,
"You first think they're weapons,
and then you realize they're instruments,"
I first saw the instruments, and then I went,
"Oh, they're holding them like weapons."
Takes me a slight step to get there on my part.
‐ I love that you shot from below
and gave them this larger‐ than‐life perspective.
When I look at this image, it feels really fierce.
I love that I'm connecting with the woman in the center.
It feels like a music group, almost, right?
It feels like‐‐ ‐ Unity.
CAT: I love the color story. I love the bright blue sky.
My suggestion for making this more obvious
is repositioning them in a way
in which the instruments read more as weaponry.
But it feels really strong. It feels so fierce.
‐ All right, thank you, Jose.
‐ Thank you, guys.
‐ Yay.
MARILYN: Really dope. ‐ Thanks.
‐ All right, Tommy.
♪ ♪
‐ Hey. ‐ Hi.
TOMMY: The intent behind this image is,
you have a voice,
and you can't be afraid to use that voice.
It's very me. It says something
that I've been wanting to say.
I pulled my inspiration for this photo
from a few different places.
One was just this experience that we're in.
There's a lot of really loud characters
that I've been able to meet.
I've been so impressed with how they're just living their lives
and being their authentic selves.
When it's you being authentic,
and like, literally turning the volume up on your voice,
then you can't really have a regret about it.
I grew up in the Midwest.
There was this, like, positive view of art,
but also this kind of darker view of, like,
"Yeah, but what are you ever gonna do with that?
"What are you gonna do to actually make money
or make a life for yourself?"
And I had that moment where, like,
I need to just accept who I am.
Like, I need to chase this dream of being an artist.
‐ Tommy, this is so Tommy. Your work is so graphic.
There's a lot of messaging that I have to unpack,
so I'm happy to hear the context for the work.
What's the meaning for you with this type of television?
TOMMY: Very inspired by cultural things.
I love, like, Pop Art. I love Andy Warhol.
He's reaching outside of the screen,
and the implication is, they're breaking out
of what's old and stepping into the new.
‐ I would have loved to see the TV smaller
and the photography event bigger.
‐ Yeah, we only had an hour to edit,
and I chose to go do something
that was heavy on the editing side.
‐ You did a lot. You did some post.
You did several shots. You had talent.
You styled them. You lit them
in such an interesting and beautiful pop‐way.
You did a lot in the four hours,
and my small critique is that I would love
to see more of the photography component of it.
‐ There were five minutes left in this challenge,
and I was like, "Maybe I should just go with one of the photos
"and throw out the TV
and just like, find a way to still communicate my message,"
but there wasn't enough time,
and I was very emotional at the end of this
because I wanted to make a piece
I was truly excited about,
and I feel like I was so, so close.
There's no pause button on time.
RAVEN: My biggest thing is, in all photos,
you have to be intentional, right?
And you had intention, so when you do ask
those questions, Cat, like, why this TV?
Why this guy? Why the four girls?
I think if you're not here, those are the questions
that you're gonna ask about the photo.
So I think it's really important
when creating the photo
to really think about those things,
because, even if he was in the middle, or, like,
the girl in the hat was in the front,
that could completely alter the message of the photo
or the idea you were trying to convey.
But the first thing I did get was Pop Art
when I looked at it,
and I loved how he was, like, coming out of the TV.
You're experimenting with so many elements to the photo,
which is hard.
Just something to consider with composition
when you are telling a story:
maybe if the four girls were not holding onto him,
but they were like, in the back,
supporting him in another way,
watching him go turn up the volume.
It would also tie him to other people in there.
‐ Yeah. ‐ I definitely think
when you're doing things like this,
it's really important to know exactly the why of it.
‐ Sure. COLE: Yeah, I love the palette.
I love the message.
There's a lot of things that are awesome about this image,
and I dig it. Thank you, Tommy.
‐ Thanks, guys.
‐ All right, Marilyn. You're up next.
♪ ♪
‐ Hi. ‐ Hi.
‐ This piece is about the old me
and kind of how I used
to feel super lonely all the time.
Even if I had millions of friends
and a bunch of followers,
I always defaulted to distraction and vices.
I had to break that cycle, and to do that,
you know, was learning to live in solitude,
actually learning to be alone, you know,
and being comfortable with that.
I just wanted to put everything about me in this one picture,
and just seeing it on the screen right now is, like,
pretty surreal and mind‐blowing.
‐ That's awesome. This does scream Marilyn.
This is your mind coming to life, which I love.
Your message here is super cohesive.
There's a vice, a temptation, a devil inside,
and should you feel lonely,
you can break that to appease your loneliness,
but also literally release a devil.
‐ This is so wild. I love it.
It's playful. It's graphic.
I think this is a really fun and successful image,
and it says a lot. It has a deep meaning.
I think a lot of people can identify with it,
and I'm a fan of this photo.
But I want this reality to tell me
that this was really her in a box.
It's so flat to me
that I feel like it could have all been done in post,
so just a slight angle shift, for me,
would've really conveyed that in the space.
‐ I love the photo, I love the model,
her hair, the styling.
I really love primary, like, red, blues, greens,
colors that really make you feel an emotion.
I always feel like red is that color.
And I love the message of it.
In case of loneliness, break glass,
and I'm think like, am I breaking the glass
because I want to spend time with this person,
or are they breaking the glass?
Like, there are a lot of meanings you can play into.
I would agree that a lot of it I did think was in post.
So I think the only thing, a lot of times,
is that composition
and really thinking about how you want to light the box.
COLE: The ideas of it being a little flat
that they called out‐‐
obviously, the flame is not real.
‐ Yeah.
‐ Was there any other tweaks and finishes
that you added or did?
MARILYN: Definitely. ‐ Yeah, a whole bunch?
‐ I felt like I got all the major flaws that I saw out,
but overall, like, I love, love, love this image so much.
COLE: Thank you, Marilyn. ‐ Thanks.
[applause]
COLE: Well, all right, photographers,
you gave it your best shot.
We have plenty of things to talk about.
This is gonna be a tough decision.
[tense music]
We'll bring you back in
when we're ready to announce the winner.
‐ Thank you so much, guys. ‐ Thank you.
♪ ♪
‐ All right, we have a lot to talk about.
We saw some amazing images. ‐ Yes.
‐ But we have to pick a winner. Let's talk about Tommy.
‐ You know, one thing about this challenge is,
we asked them to deliver their signature style.
And as soon as I saw this, I knew this was Tommy's image.
He is graphic. He's also very playful,
from that selfie moment in the first challenge.
So, to me,
Tommy really delivered on that in this assignment.
‐ I do get happiness and positive vibes
and all of those things from the color choices,
from the external lights he used,
the gels, I see all that.
But a big part of photography
across the board is editing, and, like...
‐ Yes. ‐ Knowing how to edit down
and edit out,
take away a light or take away a person.
‐ Yeah. I mean,
he definitely conveys his own style,
I think, for sure.
He really leaned into what he does well here.
But there's the outside of the TV,
there's the frame of the TV,
there's the inside, and then inside of the image,
there's the hand‐‐ you got to way in there
to like, really understand the message
of turning up the volume.
I would've liked to seen turning up the volume
of that message in this image, right?
‐ Taking his own advice. COLE: Yeah.
‐ Tommy's always trying to do a lot of layers in his work,
but simplification in this instance
would've, I think, helped Tommy a lot.
‐ What about Marilyn? RAVEN: She walked in.
She had a very specific style.
I was like, looking at her pants.
They were two‐toned. She had her glitter on.
I was like, "Oh, this girl's cool."
And then I saw her photo, and I was like,
"Oh, this photo looks exactly like this girl."
It's edgy, but it's still feminine.
And it's raw, but, like, there's softness to it.
It tells a story. There's a message behind it.
And to hear the way she battles with things and how she can
then put it in her photos in like, a positive light.
It's so important. With photography and with art,
a lot of inspiration comes from negativity,
darkness, pain, all of these things,
but the main goal is to inspire someone, to move someone,
and I think just seeing her translate that here,
I was just really intrigued,
so I really appreciated that about Marilyn.
‐ This is, I think,
Marilyn's strongest work in this competition.
She is claiming experience in her work, you know,
I think back to her skate shot
where she's like, dabbing that female skater.
That was totally an experiential photo.
She's bringing her full self to all of these challenges,
and I think she's not wasting any moment.
COLE: I think the thing that could benefit this photo
is having a bit of color contrast.
It's so monotone, and I get that the box is red,
but like, having the subject or the model
pop out a little bit in just a cleaner light
would've made all the difference.
‐ Right. I also really wished
the actual box was, like, outside
or in a room or in a location
where one, you understood that this was a box,
but like, the setting would've enriched it.
The white background is too flat.
‐ But like, I can look at this image
and I get a complete thought out of it.
So I think that, in its essence,
makes this photo successful.
CAT: Yeah.
‐ Let's talk about Jose.
‐ I found this very rewarding, myself,
to see him able to achieve an image
that felt closest to who he is and his style.
For me, though, when I first read this image,
I read it as kind of a music image,
like an album cover or something,
because of the introduction of instruments.
‐ The instruments being so inorganic are throwing me off.
I feel like, if at his core, he is a street photographer,
the street style, cares about these inner city stories,
I would've just wanted it to be like, as raw
and simplistic as possible.
I love the composition of it, positioning.
I love the idea of a group shot.
I think those are always really powerful.
It felt very LA.
He's from New York,
but he was able to manipulate the photo
to feel what he wanted it to feel,
so I thought that was really cool about him.
‐ I love the idea that he's bringing
such a personal story into this photograph,
and visually, it's cool. Like, I love the composition.
I love the color palette.
Again, doing a ton of things right.
The perspective, the attitude.
This one was super tough.
Throughout all of these challenges,
we're met with these amazing photos,
and it's like,
we're nitpicking because they're all really good.
‐ I think the hardest part for me
is that they're completely different photos.
Like, I don't even know
how to compare Jose's to Tommy's to Marilyn's
because they're so different and they're so unique
that it's almost like,
we are nitpicking because we have to.
‐ And I think that what we charged them with was,
"Bring us your style,
your singular voice, your signature style."
So, in that regard, I think they were all leading
with what they think they do best.
‐ We have to pick a winner out of three amazing photographers.
I mean, there's a $250,000 contract on the line.
Do we have a winner?
‐ I think so.
[spacey music]
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
‐ Welcome back, photographers.
Each of you created a final photo
that is so uniquely you. One of you is about to win
the grand prize of a $250,000 photography contract,
and because this is a celebration,
we might as well make it a family affair.
‐ Hi! [all greeting]
[percussive music]
♪ ♪
‐ You all have come a long way since that first day.
And your final challenge was the toughest one yet
for you, and for us.
But through all that, we've reached a decision.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
Jose, Marilyn, Tommy.
It's time to announce our winner.
Please stand up.
♪ ♪
‐ Tommy.
You brought your signature style
to this last challenge.
It was playful and graphic.
It was Pop Art. I enjoyed this image very much.
‐ Thank you.
RAVEN: Well, I just met you, Tommy,
but I feel l got a lot of who you are,
and your photo exuded positivity.
In person, you gave me that too, so really loved it.
‐ Marilyn. Thank you for this image
and for always bringing your point of view.
This has a commentary on mental health and wellness
and also female empowerment.
‐ Marilyn, your photo was a great example of something
that doesn't need much more.
In one look, I got the complete thought.
You took a negative experience,
but discovered the positive lesson in it all,
and you conveyed that in a single image.
And that's a really tough thing to do.
‐ Thank you. ‐ Jose.
Your final photo was definitely you.
What I appreciate about your work is,
you bring your emotion to the imagery.
RAVEN: What I thought was so cool is that even though
you're from New York, your photo felt very LA.
There was a mystery to your photo,
but also a mystery to you as a person,
and I'm like, very eager to learn more about both
who you are and more about your photos too.
‐ Thanks.
‐ You are all phenomenal photographers,
but only one of you can win this competition.
♪ ♪
One of you is going home tonight with a grand prize
of a $250,000 photography contract
from Samsung.
And it all comes down to this.
‐ Tommy.
I'm sorry to say, but you are not the winner.
But you should be incredibly proud of everything
you've accomplished during this competition.
You have such a cool, unique style,
and you really brought all of the positivity
to all of your work and all of us.
So thank you so very much, Tommy.
‐ I can always be improving
and getting better as an artist.
I'm just so grateful for this opportunity, so thank you.
From this experience, I learned that I do have shortcomings
and I do have a lack of experience
in certain areas in photography.
But I also have some things I'm really strong at
and really good at,
and I was able to highlight those.
So I feel really good about what I've done.
‐ Jose, Marilyn, it's down to just the two of you.
[dramatic crescendo]
[dramatic music]
‐ It's time to crown our very first Exposure champion.
♪ ♪
The winner of the grand prize is...
♪ ♪
Marilyn.
KRYS: Yeah!
Baby, you won! [laughs]
You did it! [all talking]
MARILYN: Thank you.
PARKER: We're so proud of you.
MARILYN: I Just really appreciate the opportunity.
I never expected this.
I couldn't imagine this in my wildest dreams.
I'm actually not even sure if I'm awake.
‐ Marilyn, how are you feeling right now?
‐ Surreal.
COLE: What do you think your parents would say?
‐ I'm just happy that I can show them
that anything is possible.
Hi!
‐ I want to show them that it goes beyond everything
that they can dream of, you know?
The American dream is not a house and a car.
It's doing what you love and just doing that forever.
Boy, girl, Asian or not.
As long as you just are honest with yourself,
but create for the right reasons and lead with love,
everything else will just fall into place.
You guys are the best people I've ever met.
It's really cool to be around creative people.
I really needed that.
I've met so many incredibly talented people
that I respect and love so much now.
It's like a crazy big family.
And I really wanted all of us to win.
‐ Tommy, you did a good job.
I'm pretty hard on myself as an artist,
and sometimes that can get in my own way.
But I'm so happy that I was able to do this.
‐ This is real. Get awake!
‐ It is real. You can pinch yourself.
JOSE: She deserves it so much. PARKER: Yeah.
‐ Jose, it was so close. Your art and your story
definitely needs to be shared with the world.
We expect to see a lot more amazing photos from you.
‐ You will.
My goal now is to let kids know
that they don't have to go the wrong way
and turn to guns and turn to drugs.
‐ I want to start something to help, like,
little kids in my area,
so hopefully my message gets across
and people see this
and they want change and these kids, little kids,
pick up cameras or whatever it is,
a skateboard, and realize that you could be something in life.
This is how you start the year off!
‐ Crazy. Crazy, crazy.
PARKER: Yay! [applause]
MARILYN: I wanted to prove to myself
that I can do anything
if I just lead with honesty and love and passion.
And I felt like that's actually
what carried me throughout this whole entire competition
is just being true to myself,
being true to my vision, and being kind to others.
Can we all just take one selfie together?
ALL: Yeah. ‐ It's been a wild, wild ride,
and I'm happy that I prevailed through every struggle
that I went through, and I want to continue doing that.
I will never forget this moment.
Like, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever.
Never.
COLE: Season one on count of three.
One, two, three.
[applause]