photographer/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — photographer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-9151.00 (Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators).

Task statements

• [Core] Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
• [Core] Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.
• [Core] Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
• [Core] Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
• [Core] Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
• [Core] Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
• [Core] Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
• [Core] Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
• [Core] Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
• [Core] Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
• [Core] Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
• [Core] Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
• [Core] Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment.
• [Core] Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
• [Core] Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
• [Core] Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
• [Core] Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
• [Core] Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions.
• [Supplemental] Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.
• [Supplemental] Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.
• [Supplemental] Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.
• [Supplemental] Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration.
• [Supplemental] Examine quality of film fades or dissolves for potential color corrections, using color analyzers.
• [Supplemental] Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
• [Supplemental] Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.
• [Supplemental] Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
• [Supplemental] Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.

Detailed work activities

• Apply decorative coloring to photographs or printed materials.
• Clean production equipment.
• Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
• Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
• Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
• Load digital images onto computers or websites.
• Load materials into production equipment.
• Maintain production or processing equipment.
• Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
• Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
• Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
• Operate digital imaging equipment.
• Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
• Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
• Prepare outgoing mail.
• Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
• Record operational or production data.
• Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
• Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.