Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

What does a professional in this career do?

In this job you will...

• 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.
• Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
• Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
• Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.
• Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment.
• Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
• Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
• Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
• Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions.
• Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
• Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
• Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.
• Examine quality of film fades or dissolves for potential color corrections, using color analyzers.
• Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
• Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration.
• Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.
• Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.
• Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
• Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.
• Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.