Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Also called Photo Lab Technician (Photographic Laboratory Technician), Photo Printer, Photo Specialist, or Photo Technician
What Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators do
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Creative
People who like making things, design, writing, music, and self-expression.
What you'd actually do
- Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
- Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
- Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
- Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
- Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
- Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
- Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
- Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
What you'll need to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Mechanical
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 51-9151.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.