Photographers

Nature of work

Photographers use still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products, and other subjects. Photographers work for photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums, and government, or they may be self-employed. Photographers may specialize in portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.

Job duties

Photographers:

• Study requirements of an assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting, and background accessories to be used.
• Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment, and photograph subject.
• May use scanners to transfer photographic images to computers.
• May use computers to manipulate photographic images.
• May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products.
• May use delicate instruments like optical microscopes attached to cameras.
• May process exposed film.
• May use airbrush, computer, or other techniques to retouch negatives.
• Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.

Sample job titles

• aerial photographer
• commercial photographer
• fashion photographer
• forensic photographer
• medical photographer
• news photographer
• photographer
• photojournalist
• portrait photographer
• wildlife photographer

Skills

• Photographers need creativity, imagination, and artistic talent. Attention to detail and the ability to improvise with equipment and techniques are also important. You must be able to react quickly in some circumstances and be very patient in others to get a good shot. Substantial business knowledge is required if you wish to be self-employed and work on a project-by-project basis.

Job requirements

• A bachelor's degree in visual arts with specialization in photography or completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.

Other considerations

• Self-employment is common for photographers. The services they offer may be provided in a studio or on location. Earnings will depend upon the type and quality of work and will generally improve over time as the photographer's work gains recognition. Working conditions vary considerably, from regular hours in comfortable offices to irregular hours doing fieldwork. It is also common for photography to be a secondary job or a hobby. Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required. Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.

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