Scientific Photographer

Job Duties

Scientific photographers use their knowledge of scientific procedures to illustrate or record scientific or medical data. They do this by capturing images of a variety of different subjects and material. They often have specialized scientific knowledge in such fields as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry.

They choose and present a subject in order to achieve a desired look or effect, and select the appropriate equipment, such as artificial light, a particular lens, filters, tripods, and flashes. They operate either a traditional film camera or a digital camera, and some may choose to develop their own film. They may convert the film to a digital image and then edit and electronically transmit images using email. This allows them to manipulate or enhance the digital image to achieve their desired effect.

Job Skills

Scientific photographers need to have knowledge of the particular branch of science in which they work. They also should possess an artistic aptitude, good eyesight, and strong hand-eye coordination. They need to have good interpersonal communication skills and be skilled at working with others. They should be patient, accurate, and have an eye for detail. More and more, they are required to have knowledge of computer software programs and applications relevant to their work.

Income

In 2002, scientific photographers earned a median annual salary of $24,040. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $14,640, and the highest 10%, who earned more than $49,920. Salaried photographers tend to earn more than self-employed photographers. Freelance photographers spend large amounts of money purchasing and maintaining their cameras and other equipment.

Training and Education

Scientific photographers can receive training through universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, or private trade and technical schools. Courses cover basic processes, standard equipment, and techniques. Bachelor's degrees provide a very strong and well-rounded education, especially those that include courses in business.

Regardless of training, employers seek individuals who have a good eye, imagination, and creativity. Many entry-level photographers start out as assistants to more experienced photographers, and gradually move up in level of responsibility. Photographers who operate their own freelance business need to have additional knowledge and skills, including writing, hiring, licensing, pricing, and financial record keeping.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Employment

In 2002, photographers held about 130,000 jobs. More than 50% were self-employed, and most worked in major metropolitan areas.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of scientific photographers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Demand will be tempered by increasing productivity and the reduction in barriers to consumer digital photography technology. As scientific photographers face keen competition for jobs, those who are the most creative, flexible, and business savvy will have the best chances for employment.

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Portrait Photographer

Job Duties

Portrait photographers often work in their own studios, taking pictures of groups or individuals. They often specialize in particular events, such as weddings, religious ceremonies, or school photographs. They also may work on location. Some portrait photographers may own their own business, which requires them to arrange for advertising, schedule appointments, mount and frame pictures, purchase supplies, keep records, bill customers, and possibly hire and train new employees.

They choose and present a subject in order to achieve a desired look or effect, and select the appropriate equipment, such as artificial light, a particular lens, filters, tripods, and flashes. They operate either a traditional film camera or a digital camera, and some may choose to develop their own film. They may convert the film to a digital image and then edit and electronically transmit images using email. This allows them to manipulate or enhance the digital image to achieve their desired effect.

Job Skills

Portrait photographers need to be able to put people at ease and help them relax in front of the camera. They need to possess an artistic aptitude, good eyesight, and strong hand-eye coordination. They need to have good interpersonal communication skills and be skilled at working with others. They should be patient, accurate, and have an eye for detail. More and more, they are required to have knowledge of computer software programs and applications relevant to their work.

Income

In 2002, portrait photographers earned a median annual salary of $24,040. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $14,640, and the highest 10%, who earned more than $49,920. Salaried photographers tend to earn more than self-employed photographers. Freelance photographers spend large amounts of money purchasing and maintaining their cameras and other equipment.

Training and Education

Portrait photographers can receive training through universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, or private trade and technical schools. Courses cover basic processes, standard equipment, and techniques. Bachelor's degrees provide a very strong and well-rounded education, especially those that include courses in business.

Regardless of training, employers seek individuals who have a good eye, imagination, and creativity. Many entry-level photographers start out as assistants to more experienced photographers, and gradually move up in level of responsibility. Photographers who operate their own freelance business need to have additional knowledge and skills, including writing, hiring, licensing, pricing, and financial record keeping.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Employment

In 2002, photographers held about 130,000 jobs. More than 50% were self-employed, and most worked in major metropolitan areas.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of photographers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. The demand for portrait photographers will be mainly fueled by general population growth. Demand will be tempered by increasing productivity and the reduction in barriers to consumer digital photography technology. As portrait photographers face keen competition for jobs, those who are the most creative, flexible, and business savvy will have the best chances for employment.

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Photographic Machine Operator

Job Duties

Photographic machine operators work with various types of photographic-related machines, including mounting presses and motion picture film printing, photographic printing, and film developing machines. Both amateur and professional photographers depend on these workers to complete their final photographic product.

Photographic machine operators often specialize in various types of work and have specialized job titles. Film process technicians operate machines that develop exposed photographic film or sensitized paper in a series of chemical and water baths to produce negative or positive images. These technicians mix developing and fixing solutions, load film into the machine, immerse the negative in a stop-bath, transfer it to a hyposolution, reimmerse it, and, finally, dry the image. Color printer operators produce color prints from negatives using color printing equipments. They determine settings, set controls, and produce a specified number of prints.

Job Skills

Photographic machine operators need to possess good manual dexterity, due to the high percentage of their jobs spent working with their hands. They must have excellent vision, including normal color perception, because of the visual nature of the work. In addition, they should have highly-developed hand-eye coordination.

Income

In 2002, photographic machine operators earned a median hourly wage of $9.05. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $6.53, to the highest 10%, who earned more than $15.60. The median hourly wage was $10.15 in photofinishing laboratories, and $7.20 in health and personal care stores, the two largest employers of photographic machine operators.

Training and Education

Employers of photographic machine operators usually prefer to hire high school graduates or experienced workers. Photography courses that include instruction in film processing can be advantageous, as can the ability to perform simple mathematical calculations. These types of courses are offered by high schools, vocational-technical institutes, private trade schools, and colleges and universities.

Photographic machine operators typically receive on-the-job training from their companies, manufacturers' representatives, and more experienced workers. New employees gradually learn to use machines and chemicals. On-the-job training usually lasts from a few hours to several months. Some workers update their skills by attending periodic training seminars.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Employment

In 2002, photographic machine operators held about 28,000 jobs. 40% worked in retail establishments, mostly general merchandise stores and drug stores. 30% worked in photofinishing laboratories and 1-hour minilabs. A very small percentage were self-employed.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of photographic machine operators is expected to increase more slowly than the average. The main cause of this slow growth is the increased popularity of digital cameras. Consumers who own digital cameras and technology will be able to download and view pictures on their computer, as well as manipulate, correct, and retouch their own photographs.

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Photographic Process Worker

Job Duties

Photographic process workers, sometimes known as digital imaging technicians, work with computer images of conventional negatives and specialized software to alter photographs by removing unwanted background, varying the contrast, or combining features from different photographs.

Today, much of this work is completed using computers and digital software, some workers still use old-fashioned methods, performing many specialized tasks by hand directly on the photo or negative. Airbrush artists use airbrushes to restore damaged or faded photographs, or to color or shade drawings to create photographic likenesses. Photographic retouchers accentuate the subject of a photograph by altering negatives, prints, or images. Colorists improve the lifelike appearance of photographs by adding oil colors. Photographic spotters work with photographic prints and images to remove imperfections.

Job Skills

Photographic process workers need to possess good manual dexterity, due to the high percentage of their jobs spent working with their hands. They must have excellent vision, including normal color perception, because of the visual nature of the work. In addition, they should have highly-developed hand-eye coordination.

Income

In 2002, photographic process workers earned a median hourly wage of $9.72. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $6.79, to the highest 10%, who earned more than $17.43. The median hourly wage was $9.75 in photofinishing laboratories, the largest employers of photographic process workers.

Training and Education

Employers of photographic process workers usually prefer to hire high school graduates or experienced workers. Photography courses that include instruction in film processing can be advantageous, as can the ability to perform simple mathematical calculations. These types of courses are offered by high schools, vocational-technical institutes, private trade schools, and colleges and universities.

Photographic process workers typically receive on-the-job training from their companies, manufacturers' representatives, and more experienced workers. New employees gradually learn to use machines and chemicals. On-the-job training usually lasts from a few hours to several months. Some workers update their skills by attending periodic training seminars.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Employment

In 2002, photographic process workers held about 28,000 jobs. 25% were employed in photofinishing laboratories and 1-hour minilabs. 1 in 6 worked in portrait studios or commercial laboratories that specialize in processing the work of professional photographers for advertising and other industries.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of photographic process workers is expected to increase more slowly than the average. The main cause of this slow growth is the increased popularity of digital cameras. Consumers who own digital cameras and technology will be able to download and view pictures on their computer, as well as manipulate, correct, and retouch their own photographs.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/photography_careers/photographic_process_worker

News Photographer

Job Duties

News photographers, sometimes referred to as photojournalists, photograph newsworthy people, places, and sporting, political, and community events for newspapers, journals, magazines, or television. Some work as salaried staff employees, while others own their own businesses and are known as freelance photographers. Freelance news photographers may license the use of their photographs through stock photo agencies or contracts with other types of clients.

They choose and present a subject in order to achieve a desired look or effect, and select the appropriate equipment, such as artificial light, a particular lens, filters, tripods, and flashes. They operate either a traditional film camera or a digital camera, and some may choose to develop their own film. They may convert the film to a digital image and then edit and electronically transmit images using email. This allows them to manipulate or enhance the digital image to achieve their desired effect.

Job Skills

In addition to photography skills, news photographers need to comprehend the story behind the event they are photographing in order to match their pictures with the story. They also should possess an artistic aptitude, good eyesight, and strong hand-eye coordination, and be able to think and act decisively. They need to have good interpersonal communication skills and be skilled at working with others. They should be patient, accurate, and have an eye for detail. More and more, they are required to have knowledge of computer software programs and applications relevant to their work.

Income

In 2002, news photographers earned a median annual salary of $24,040. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $14,640, and the highest 10%, who earned more than $49,920. Salaried photographers tend to earn more than self-employed photographers. Freelance photographers spend large amounts of money purchasing and maintaining their cameras and other equipment.

Training and Education

News photographers can receive training through universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, or private trade and technical schools. Courses cover basic processes, standard equipment, and techniques. Bachelor's degrees provide a very strong and well-rounded education, especially those that include courses in business.

Regardless of training, employers seek individuals who have a good eye, imagination, and creativity. Many entry-level photographers start out as assistants to more experienced photographers, and gradually move up in level of responsibility. Photographers who operate their own freelance business need to have additional knowledge and skills, including writing, hiring, licensing, pricing, and financial record keeping.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Employment

In 2002, photographers held about 130,000 jobs. More than 50% were self-employed, and most worked in major metropolitan areas.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of news photographers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Demand will be tempered by increasing productivity and the reduction in barriers to consumer digital photography technology. As news photographers face keen competition for jobs, those who are the most creative, flexible, and business savvy will have the best chances for employment.

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Photographic Equipment Technician

Job Duties

Photographic equipment technicians are usually employed by independent repair shops, equipment manufacturers, or retailers. They dismantle, repair, adjust, and clean cameras, lenses, projectors, and other types of photographic equipment. In smaller shops, technicians usually work on a variety of types of photographic equipment, while in larger shops, they usually specialize in a particular type of brand. Technicians determine the damage to the equipment, make the necessary repairs, reassemble the equipment, and test whether it meets manufacturer specifications.

Technicians use a variety of small hand tools, such as jewelers' screw drivers, files, wrenches, soldering instruments, microscopes, micrometers, and gauges. They also use precision testing instruments, such as digital voltmeters, optical measuring devices, electronic timers and mechanical testing devices.

Job Skills

Because this work is meticulous and usually indoors, photographic equipment technicians need to be patient and persistent. They usually are required to interact with customers, so they should be able to communicate well and get along with others. In addition, they are often required to have good writing skills.

Income

Photographic equipment technicians who have 3 to 5 years of experience and highly-developed skills may make from $9.00 per hour to $17.00 per hour. Some are paid by the job, rather than hourly. Still others may make a percentage of the shop rate charged to the customer. Employees of manufacturers or larger repair shops may receive vacation and health benefits.

Training and Education

Photographic equipment technicians can receive training through private vocational schools that teach photographic equipment repair, as well as through some community colleges. Employers usually prefer to hire technicians who have 3 to 5 years of experience and are fully qualified. Applicants without this level of experience must have received formal training or have a strong background in high school physical sciences and electronics theory. They must also be able to comprehend technical manuals and blueprints, as well as have an aptitude for mechanical work.

Another route into the occupation is through training in the armed forces. However, some general civilian experience or training may be necessary since military photographic work may specialize in specific types of equipment. Yet another way technicians enter the field is through on-the-job training from their employers.

Click here for more information on Photography Schools and the programs that they offer.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of photographic equipment technicians is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Population growth and the popularity of amateur and family photography will contribute to a continuing need for repair and service of photographic and related equipment.

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About Photography Careers

Photography, like many other professions allied to the communications industries, is going through a revolution. The advent of digital photography has not only revolutionized how photographs are taken, it also affects the transmission, storage and manipulation of the images produced. However there is still a place for the more traditional analog photography technologies, although these are being gradually replaced as the quality of digital photography improves.

Photographers are used in several different areas of industry, including newspapers and magazines, illustrations of books and television. There are portrait photographers and fine art photographers who need artistic talent and creativity, commercial and industrial photographers whose photographs are used as illustrations or archival material, and scientific photographers.

Many photographers are freelance, working on a project or contract basis, and using agencies to gain work. Others are salaried, working with newspapers or large corporations.

Most people enter professional photography after gaining a college degree in photography – often photojournalism. A degree course will give a well-rounded background of photography, the technologies and materials used, computerization, and some of the creativity necessary to compose good photographs.

Earnings averaged at around the $22,300 area in 2000, with the top 10% of photographers earning in excess of $46,000. Competition is fierce to gain a foothold in this industry, so qualifications help to get that important first job.

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