The subjects vary, and so does the equipment. Photography is a business in transition from the old ways - with35-millimeter film developed in chemicals - to the new digital imaging that is more immediate and can be manipulated with computer software.
Photography us an art form, but very few p ...
hotographers who specialize in fine art make enough money to support themselves solely through their artwork. But there are several ways to make a living as a photographer.
A portrait photographer takes pictures of individuals or groups of people in a studio or at weddings and other formal events. Commercial and industrial photographers focus on subjects such as buildings, models, merchandise, landscapes, for use in books, reports, ads, and catalogues. News photographers, also called photojournalists, shoot for news publications.
Many photographers are self-employed. The most successful license their work and are represented by agencies. To get started, subscribe to photographic newsletters and magazines, seek employment at camera stores, and consider taking courses in photography at a university, community college, technical institute, or trade school.
New media outlets and a growing population will be demanding more images and portraits, but employment for photographers is expected to increase more slowly than most occupations in the years ahead, because of an overall decline in the newspaper industry. So along with creativity and technical skill, you need good business sense to make photography a lifelong career.
SNAPSHOT
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Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.
Leadership
HIGH
Critical decision making
LOW
Level of responsibilities
LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines
HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict
LOW
Competition for this position
LOW
Communication with others
LOW
Work closely with team members, clients etc.
HIGH
Comfort of the work setting
HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions
LOW
Exposure to job hazards
LOW
Physical demands
LOW
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DAILY TASKS
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Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
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.
Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
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.
Scan photographs into computers for editing, storage, and electronic transmission.
Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.
Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
Perform general office duties such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
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Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Training and Teaching Others
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Interacting With Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
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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.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
KEY ABILITIES
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Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Visual Color Discrimination
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
TOP SKILLS
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
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