Earnings of photographic process workers vary greatly depending on skill level, experience, and geographic location. Median hourly earnings for photographic process workers were $9.72 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.84 and $13.08. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.79, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $17.43. Median hourly earnings were $9.75 in photofinishing laboratories, the largest employer of photographic process workers.
Median hourly earning for photographic processing machine operators were $9.05 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.53 and $11.63. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.53, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $15.60. Median hourly earnings in the two industries employing the largest numbers of photographic processing machine operators were $10.15 in photofinishing laboratories and $7.20 in health and personal care stores.
Both amateur and professional photographers rely heavily on photographic process workers and processing machine operators to develop film, make prints or slides, and do related tasks, such as enlarging or retouching photographs. Photographic processing machine operators operate various machines, such as mounting presses and motion picture film printing, photographic printing, and film developing machines. Photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features.
Photographic processing machine operators often have specialized jobs. Film process technicians operate machines that develop exposed photographic film or sensitized paper in a series of chemical and water baths to produce negative or positive images. First, technicians mix developing and fixing solutions, following a formula. They then load the film in the machine, which immerses the exposed film in a developer solution. This brings out the latent image. The next steps include immersing the negative in a stop-bath to halt the developer action, transferring it to a hyposolution to fix the image, and then immersing it in water to remove the chemicals. The technician then dries the film. In some cases, these steps are performed by hand.
Color printer operators control equipment that produces color prints from negatives. These workers read customer instructions to determine processing requirements. They load film into color printing equipment, examine negatives to determine equipment control settings, set controls, and produce a specified number of prints. Finally, they inspect the finished prints for defects, remove any that are found, and insert the processed negatives and prints into an envelope for return to the customer.
Photographic process workers, sometimes known as digital imaging technicians, use computer images of conventional negatives and specialized computer software to vary the contrast of images, remove unwanted background, or combine features from different photographs. Although computers and digital technology are replacing much manual work, some photographic process workers, especially those who work in portrait studios, still perform many specialized tasks by hand directly on the photo or negative. Airbrush artists restore damaged and faded photographs, and may color or shade drawings to create photographic likenesses using an airbrush. Photographic retouchers alter photographic negatives, prints, or images to accentuate the subject. Colorists apply oil colors to portrait photographs to create natural, lifelike appearances. Photographic spotters remove imperfections on photographic prints and images.
.Slower than average growth is expected for photographic process workers and processing machine operators through the year 2012. Most openings will result from replacement needs, which are higher for machine operators than for photographic process workers.
In recent years, the use of digital cameras, which use electronic memory rather than film to record images, has grown rapidly among professional photographers and advanced amateurs. As the cost of digital photography drops, the use of such cameras will become more widespread among amateur photographers, reducing the demand for traditional photographic processing machine operators. However, conventional cameras, which use film to record images, are expected to continue to be the camera of choice among most casual photographers. Population growth and the popularity of amateur and family photography will contribute to a continuing need for photographic processing machine operators to process the film used in conventional cameras, including increasingly sophisticated disposable cameras. This need will prevent what otherwise would be even slower growth in the number of these workers.
Digital photography also will reduce demand for photographic process workers. Using digital cameras and technology, consumers who have a personal computer and the proper software will be able to download and view pictures on their computer, as well as manipulate, correct, and retouch their own photographs. No matter what improvements occur in camera technology, though, some photographic processing tasks will still require skillful manual treatment. Moreover, not all consumers will want to invest in the software. Job opportunities will be best for individuals with experience using computers and digital technology.
.Most photographic process workers and processing machine operators receive on-the-job training from their companies, manufacturers’ representatives, and experienced workers. New employees gradually learn to use the machines and chemicals that develop and print film.
Employers prefer applicants who are high school graduates or those who have some experience in the field. Familiarity with computers is essential for photographic processing machine operators. The ability to perform simple mathematical calculations also is helpful. Photography courses that include instruction in film processing are valuable preparation. Such courses are available through high schools, vocational-technical institutes, private trade schools, and colleges and universities.
On-the-job training in photographic processing occupations can range from just a few hours for print machine operators to several months for photographic processing workers such as airbrush artists and colorists. Some workers attend periodic training seminars to maintain a high level of skill. Manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, and good vision, including normal color perception, are important qualifications for photographic process workers.
Photographic process machine workers can sometimes advance from jobs as machine operators to supervisory positions in laboratories or to management positions within retail stores.
.Photographic process workers and processing machine operators need specialized knowledge of the photo developing process. Other workers who apply specialized technical knowledge include clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, computer operators, jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, prepress technicians and workers, printing machine operators, and science technicians.
For information about employment opportunities in photographic laboratories and schools that offer degrees in photographic technology, contact:
Most receive on-the-job training from their companies, manufacturers’ representatives, and experienced workers. Job opportunities will be best for individuals with experience using computers and digital technology. Photographic processing machine operators operate various machines, such as mounting presses and motion picture film printing, photographic printing, and film developing machines. Photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features. Almost one in four photographic process workers were employed in photofinishing laboratories and 1-hour minilabs.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos241.htm
They are employed in film processing laboratories and retail photofinishing establishments. For example, the number of prints processed at the "one hour" rate. The symbols >, >>, and >>> are explained in the Notes section. For example, using set formula to determine how much exposure is needed for colour enlargements on different types of paper. For example, by measuring air blown into agitation tubs during immersion of photographic paper in chemicals.
Summary of: http://www15.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/english/profiles/170.asp
Photographic processing machine operators and tenders operate various machines, such as mounting presses and motion picture film printing, photographic printing, and film developing machines. Precision photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features. They then load the film in the machine, which immerses the exposed film in a developer solution. In some cases, these steps are performed by hand. Most openings will result from replacement needs, which tend to be higher for machine operators than for precision process workers.
Summary of: http://guide.symplicity.com/resources/profession_article.php?id=287
Precision photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to stress or correct specific features or characteristics of subjects. They may restore damaged and faded photographs, and may color or shade drawings to create photographic likenesses using an airbrush. The following jobs are examples of the work that machine operators perform. Precision photographic process workers in portrait studios, on the other hand, deal in very high volume, and tend to work directly on the photo negative, rather than on a computer. Employment Photographic process workers held about 63,000 jobs in 1992.
Summary of: http://www.edonline.com/collegecompass/oohb0259.htm
Some photographic process workers operate machinery that automatically develops and prints film; others do detailed tasks that cannot be automated. All-round darkroom technicians can do everything necessary to develop and print film. They vary the developing process according to the type of film--black-and-white negative, color negative, or color positive. Although processing still is done by hand in some small photographic studios, technicians in most photographic labs operate machines that automatically perform the steps described above. In addition to working in the laboratory, darkroom technicians may set up lights and cameras or otherwise assist experienced photographers.
Summary of: http://www.work-at-home.org/sreport/career/76.htm
Photographic processing machine operators and tenders operate various machines, such as mounting presses and motion picture film printing, photographic printing, and film developing machines. Precision photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features. They then load the film in the machine, which immerses the exposed film in a developer solution. In some cases, these steps are performed by hand. Most openings will result from replacement needs, which tend to be higher for machine operators than for precision process workers.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/87.htm
Darkroom , undertaking film processing and/or printing. Finishing , where custom framing, block mounting and laminating is undertaken. In larger organisations, these are separate jobs where teams of workers are supervised by a photographic technician. Photographic processors may be required to work shifts.
Summary of: http://www.myfuture.edu.au/services/default.asp?FunctionID=5050&ASCO=729811A
Precision photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features. They may restore damaged and faded photographs, and may color or shade drawings to create photographic likenesses using an airbrush. The following jobs are examples of the work that machine operators perform. Precision photographic process workers in portrait studios, on the other hand, deal in very high volume, and tend to work directly on the photo negative, rather than on a computer. Employment Photographic process workers held about 57,000 jobs in 1994.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos241.html
Precision photographic process workers perform more delicate tasks, such as retouching photographic negatives and prints to emphasize or correct specific features. The following jobs are examples of the work that machine operators perform. Film process technicians operate machines that develop exposed photographic film or sensitized paper in a series of chemical and water baths to produce negative or positive images. Color printer operators control equipment which produces color prints from the negatives. Precision photographic process workers who work in portrait studios, on the other hand, deal in very high volume, and tend to work directly on the photo negative, rather than on a computer.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/34.htm