Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Human Advantage 69%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.6 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.
Also Known As: Air Brush Artist, Airbrush Artist, Art Tracer, Automatic Developer, Automatic Mounter, Automatic Print Developer, Black and White Printer Operator, Color Laboratory Technician +121 more
Core Tasks
- Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
- Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
- Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
- Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
- Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
- Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
- Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
- Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
- Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
- Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
- Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.
- Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment.
- Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
- Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
- Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
- Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions.
- Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
- Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
Supplemental Tasks (9)
- Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.
- Examine quality of film fades or dissolves for potential color corrections, using color analyzers.
- Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
- Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration.
- Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.
- Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.
- Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
- Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.
- Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Adjust digital images using software.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. 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 (25)
Tools & Equipment (58)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Industrial Machinery Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Conveyor Operators and Tenders 74% match
Zone 2
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators You are here
Zone 3
Resume Builder
Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators positions.
Your Resume Bullets
Related Occupations
Show all 20 related occupations
Real Talk
Hear from real Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operatorss about their work: