CareerZone Pennsylvania

Photographers

Description

Photograph persons, subjects, merchandise, or other commercial products. May develop negatives and produce finished prints.

Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Education Requirements

Long-term training - Necessary skills are acquired through on-the-job training or formal education lasting more than 12 months.

Interests

Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Knowledge

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Troubleshooting	Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Management of Financial Resources	Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Maintenance	Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
Equipment Selection	Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Tasks

• Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touchup tools, and developing and printing equipment, or send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.
• Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.
• Direct activities of workers who are setting up photographic equipment.
• Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro-photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.
• Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
• Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling their work.
• Load and unload film.
• Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.
• License the use of their photographs through stock photo agencies.
• Mount, frame, laminate, and/or lacquer finished photographs.
• Photograph legal evidence at crime scenes, in hospitals, or in forensic laboratories.
• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on a combination of factors such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.

Wages

In 2006, the Pennsylvania average annual wage was $29,970.00. The entry-level wage was $18,630.00 while an experienced worker made $35,640.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 4,820 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 5,440 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about 62 openings due to growth and about 98 replacement openings for approximately 160 total annual openings. This occupation experienced significant growth.

Colleges and Training

Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.

• PhotographyA program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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