Photographer

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Advertising Photographer; Commercial Photographer; Graduation Photographer; Newspaper Photographer; Photo Editor; Photographer; Photojournalist; Portrait Photographer; Sports Photographer; Studio Photographer

Tasks

• Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
• Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
• Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
• Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.
• Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
• Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.
• Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.
• Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Sales and Marketing
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management
• English Language
• Communications and Media
• Administrative
• Production and Processing
• Fine Arts
• Psychology
• Economics and Accounting

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Oral Expression
• Originality
• Visualization
• Far Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Fluency of Ideas
• Speech Clarity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Written Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Speech Recognition