National
| Median wages (2008) |
$14.15 hourly, $29,440 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
122,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
40,000 additional employees |
27-4021.00 - Photographers
Photograph persons, subjects, merchandise, or other commercial products. May develop negatives and produce finished prints.
Sample of reported job titles:
Photographer, Photojournalist, Newspaper Photographer, Newspaper Photojournalist, Advertising Photographer, News Photographer, Photo Editor, Sports Photographer, Studio Photographer
Tasks
- Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
- 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.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Scan photographs into computers for editing, storage, and electronic transmission.
- Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
- Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
- Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
- Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
