Photographers
Human Advantage 74%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As: Advertising Photographer, Aerial Photographer, Automotive Photographer, Biological Photographer, Biomedical Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Crime Scene Photographer, Digital Photographer +37 more
Core 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.
- Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
- Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.
- Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
- Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.
Supplemental Tasks (9)
- Send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.
- Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.
- Load and unload film.
- Write photograph captions.
- Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.
- Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.
- Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.
- License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.
- Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Engage in research to learn technological developments and techniques or to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
Education & Training
Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (35)
Tools & Equipment (57)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Fine Arts Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Zone 3
Photographers You are here
Zone 5
Curators 78% match
Design & Digital Arts Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Motion Picture Projectionists 75% match
Zone 3
Photographers You are here
Marketing & Advertising Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Zone 2
Demonstrators and Product Promoters 77% match
Zone 3
Photographers You are here
Zone 4
Advertising and Promotions Managers 78% match
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