PHOTOGRAPHER

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family perform commercial photography and/or video work; takes, develops, processes and edits, stores, photographs, and/or digital images and/or video; plans the composition, lighting and color values of a subject.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions in this job family will vary, but may include the following:

• Operates various commercial film, digital, and video cameras; takes black and white and color still photographs and digital images, both in the studio and in the field.  Uses electronic media for production and storage of digital images.
• Determines shutter speeds, lens settings and filters, camera angles, exposure times and types of film.
• Arranges and composes subject material to best accentuate points of emphasis; determines the lighting and color techniques necessary to give the best balance of light, shadow and color.
• Mixes solutions used in processing film from standard prepared chemicals; modifies solution to adjust for temperature, type of film or other conditions.  Provides general maintenance on agency photography equipment; performs laboratory tasks requiring application of fundamental methods, techniques and processes on black and white and on color film as contact or projection printing, processing negatives, producing slides or other coping processes.
• Develops, prints, retouches and enlarges photographs; develops prints for special effects and/or finishes; retouches photographs removing unwanted effects; and maintains a complete file of negatives.
• Operates an enlarger in making prints which may be a computerized automated system; operates a process camera to furnish negatives for publications; operates personal computer programs which provide electronic imaging of photographs onto printed media; operates related equipment as required.
• Consults with agency officials and others to secure and clarify information for publication; researches, prepares and/or edits photographs for bulletins, newsletters, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, newspapers and magazine articles, promotional signs and posters.
• Performs aerial and/or forensic photography using specialized techniques.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The photographer job family consists of two levels of work, which are distinguished by the complexity of job assignments, types of equipment utilized and the level of expertise required to accomplish assigned tasks.

LEVEL I:                                   Code:  E50A                             Salary Band:  H

This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities involving entry level work producing and developing color and black and white photography.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of photographic equipment capabilities; of methods of exposure; of film developing and photo-printing techniques; of photographic composition; of the techniques of composition, layout, design and colors; and of printing techniques.  Ability is required to compose photographs to reflect their purpose; to follow detailed oral and written instructions; to determine the potential of available equipment; to make enlargements that require superimposing or varying light intensities and color balances; to conduct tests on new types of photographic materials or nonstandard equipment for appraisal; and to retouch negatives using electronic and/or hand retouching pencils, etching knives, abrasives and chemicals.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of an associate's degree or completion of a technical training program in photography, photojournalism or a closely related field and two years of experience as a professional photographer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

NOTE:  No substitution will be allowed for the required two years of experience as a professional photographer.

Level II:                                       Code:  E50B                               Salary Band: I

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned duties at all levels of complexity including working with digital still photography and digital and analog video equipment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level consist of those identified in Level I, plus the ability to work with digital photography equipment including the use of appropriate computer software programs to print and enhance still photos; knowledge of digital and analog video equipment; and ability to use digital video editing equipment.

Education and Experience requirements at this level include those identified in Level I, plus two (2) additional years of qualifying experience.