Photography
Education and Training
- A 2-year college diploma in photography, creative photography, digital photography, or photojournalism or A bachelor’s degree in visual arts with specialization in photography or Completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or Extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.
- Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.
- Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
The Workplace
Photographers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
- Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
- May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
- May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
- May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
- May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
- May process exposed film
- May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
- Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators
Skills for Success
The key Skills for Success for this career path are:
- Digital
- Communication
- Creativity & Innovation
Sample Job Titles
- Aerial photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Industrial photographer
- Photojournalist
- Portrait photographer
- Scientific photographer
Companies and Sectors
- Corporate offices
- Self-employed
- Media outlets
- Newspapers
- Freelance photographers