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5221.0 – Photographers

Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects.

Profile

Example titles Help

  • Aerial photographer
  • Commercial photographer
  • Forensic photographer
  • Industrial photographer
  • Photographer
  • Portrait photographer
  • Scientific photographer

Inclusions

  • Photojournalist

Main characteristics Help

  • General learning ability to study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories
  • Spatial perception to visualize 3-d representation of subjects on 2-d planes
  • Form perception to perceive details in subject to be photographed, and to visualize and use the best arrangement, shade and light for optimum results
  • Innovative interest in synthesizing information to determine picture composition, technique and special treatment to be used concerning subject to be photographed, and to set up arrangement to conceive artistic or special effect; may adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
  • Methodical interest in speaking to arrange and position subjects; and in loading, exposing and unloading film, and in transporting and setting up equipment at assigned locations
  • Objective interest in setting up equipment, in making technical adjustments to equipment and in photographing subjects; may operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers to manipulate photographic images; may operate delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras; may process exposed film and use airbrush, computer and other techniques to retouch negatives

Aptitudes Help

One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:

G
General learning ability
V
Verbal ability
N
Numerical ability
S
Spatial perception
P
Form perception
Q
Clerical perception
K
Motor co-ordination
F
Finger dexterity
M
Manual dexterity
Levels legend, text description directly below.
  1. The highest 10% of the working population
  2. Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
  3. Middle third of the working population
  4. Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
  5. Lowest 10% of the working population

An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.

General learning ability G-3

Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.

Verbal ability V-3

Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.

Numerical ability N-3

Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.

Spatial perception S-2

Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.

Form perception P-2

Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.

Clerical perception Q-4

Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.

Motor co-ordination K-3

Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.

Finger dexterity F-3

Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.

Manual dexterity M-3

Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.

Interests Help

Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:

D
Directive
I
Innovative
M
Methodical
O
Objective
S
Social
Innovative I

Innovative persons like to explore things in depth and arrive at solutions to problems by experimenting. They are interested in initiating and creating different ways to solve questions and present information. They enjoy scientific subjects. Innovative persons prefer to be challenged with new and unexpected experiences. They adjust to change easily.

Methodical M

Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.

Objective O

Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.

Data, people, and things Help

Data

0
Synthesizing
1
Co-ordinating
2
Analyzing
3
Compiling
4
Computing
5
Copying
6
Comparing
7
N/A
8
Not Significant

People

0
Mentoring
1
Negotiating
2
Instructing - Consulting
3
Supervising
4
Diverting
5
Persuading
6
Speaking - Signaling
7
Serving - Assisting
8
Not significant

Things

0
Setting up
1
Precision working
2
Controlling
3
Driving - Operating
4
Operating - Manipulating
5
Tending
6
Feeding - Offbearing
7
Handling
8
Not significant
Data Synthesizing 0

Integrating analyses of data to discover facts and/or develop knowledge, concepts and interpretations.

People speaking 6

Talking with and/or signalling people to convey or exchange information; giving assignments and/or directions to helpers.

Things Setting up 0

Adjusting machines or equipment by replacing or altering tools, jigs, fixtures and attachments to prepare them for operation, change performance or restore proper functioning if they break down.

Physical activities Help

V - Vision

1
Close visual acuity
2
Near vision
3
Near and far vision
4
Total visual field

H - Hearing

1
Limited
2
Verbal interaction
3
Other sound discrimination

L - Limb co-ordination

0
Not relevant
1
Upper limb co-ordination
2
Multiple limb co-ordination

C - Colour discrimination

0
Not relevant
1
Relevant

B - Body position

1
Sitting
2
Standing and/or walking
3
Sitting, standing, walking
4
Other body positions

S - Strength

1
Limited
2
Light
3
Medium
4
Heavy
Vision Vision V-3

The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.

3 - Near and far vision

Some work activities involve the monitoring of processes, objects or situations in the work environment that are far from the worker. Other work activities involve Near vision (2).

Examples:

  • installing shingles/tiles on roofs
  • conducting surveys to establish legal property boundaries
  • developing trading strategies by monitoring market conditions from the exchange floor
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-1

The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.

1 - Relevant

Colour discrimination is relevant in the performance of the work.

Examples:

  • observing signals while operating vehicles
  • installing, testing and repairing electrical wiring
  • restoring and conserving museum and art gallery artifacts
  • designing, constructing and repairing dentures
Hearing Hearing H-1

The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.

1 - Limited

Hearing is limited to short and/or infrequent verbal interactions in order to perform the work.

Examples:

  • typing and proofreading correspondence
  • cutting and trimming meat, poultry and fish according to customers' orders
  • carrying linen to and from laundry areas and running errands
  • assisting mine workers in constructing underground installations
Body position Body position B-2

Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.

2 - Standing and/or walking

Work activities primarily involve standing or walking.

Examples:

  • cutting and styling hair
  • dispensing prescribed medications to customers
  • preparing and cooking meals
  • delivering mail
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-1

The use of limbs in performing work.

1 - Upper limb co-ordination

Work activities involve co-ordination of upper limbs.

Examples:

  • keyboarding
  • performing maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups
  • operating video cameras
  • instructing students in sign language
Strength Strength S-2

The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.

2 - Light

Work activities involve handling loads of 5 kg but less than 10 kg.

Examples:

  • repairing soles, heels and other parts of footwear
  • filing materials in drawers, cabinets and storage boxes
  • preparing and cooking meals
  • repairing paintings and artifacts

Environmental conditions Help

Location

L1
Regulated inside climate
L2
Unregulated inside climate
L3
Outside
L4
In a vehicle or cab

Hazards

H1
Dangerous chemical substances
H2
Biological agents
H3
Equipment, machinery, tools
H4
Electricity
H5
Radiation
H6
Flying particles, falling objects
H7
Fire, steam, hot surfaces
H8
Dangerous locations

Discomforts

D1
Noise
D2
Vibration
D3
Odours
D4
Non-toxic dusts
D5
Wetness
Hazards Dangerous locations H8

Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.

H8 - Dangerous locations

Working in locations that are inherently treacherous and are potential sources of injury. Such work locations include construction sites, underground sites, erected support structures and marine environments.

Examples:

  • building underground passageways in mines
  • installing roof shingles
  • washing exterior windows of buildings
  • commanding fishing vessels
  • operating underwater video, sonar, recording and related equipment
Location Regulated inside climate L1

The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:

  • firefighting and fire prevention duties
  • maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
  • managing operations and paperwork of farms

L1 - Regulated inside climate

A normal controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school.

Location Outside L3

The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:

  • firefighting and fire prevention duties
  • maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
  • managing operations and paperwork of farms

L3 - Outside

An outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to variations in weather conditions and seasonal weather patterns.

Examples:

  • maintaining lawns
  • repairing buildings, roads, bridges and dams
  • operating power saws to thin and space trees
  • delivering mail

Employment requirements Help

Education/training Help

1
No formal education or training requirements
2
Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
3
High school
4
Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
5
Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
6
College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
7
Undergraduate degree
8
Post-graduate or professional degree
+
Additional requirement beyond education and training
R
Regulated requirement(s)
2+, 5+, 6+, 7+
  • 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.

Workplaces/employers Help

  • Government
  • Magazines
  • Museums
  • Newspapers
  • Photographic studios
  • Self-employment

Exclusions Help

Remarks Help

  • For some occupations in this group, Hazards H8(Dangerous locations) may also apply
  • Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.
  • Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
Skill level
B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
Minor group
52 – Technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
Minor group
522 – Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
Unit group
5221 – Photographers
Version
NOC 2016 Version 1.3
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