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- Version:
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3
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5221 – Photographers
Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. They are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.
Profile
Example titles
- Aerial photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Forensic photographer
- Industrial photographer
- Photographer
- Portrait photographer
- Scientific photographer
Inclusions
- Multimedia picture illustrator
- Photojournalist
- Police photographer
Main duties
This group performs 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
Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.
Employment requirements
- 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.
Additional information
Exclusions
- Film and video camera operators (5222)
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.
- Major 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
- Associated Career Handbook profiles
- 5221.0 – Photographers
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3