The job of a photographer consists of capturing the essence of daily life by getting the general public to see through his or her eyes in order to obtain a special view of the scene or object that is being photographed. A photographer takes pictures of people, places, and a variety of other things throughout the world and the uses them to entertain people, report the news, evoke memories, or sell for a profit.
A photographer must be well trained in the tools that are required to obtain the best pictures. This means knowing how to use various photography tools, as well as how to work within natural lighting conditions when taking photographs outdoors. As such, a photographer must be skilled in using different lights, lenses, and film to create a photograph. The photographer must know the mechanics of these tools, as well as how to use them in order to create the proper artistic impression. Depending upon the photographer’s employer, the photographer may either be provided with the proper equipment or be required to provide their own photographic equipment.
In addition to the tools used to take the photos, the photographer often needs to know how to develop the photos as well. Today’s photographer is often called upon to further enhance photos with computers and to have other processing skills. Thanks to the growing popularity of digital photography and the use of editing software, a photographer should be skilled in using both traditional film cameras and digital cameras.
Photographers tend to work varied hours, depending on the subject being shot. In addition, a photographer working for a news agency is often on-call and so must be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Photographers who work for themselves or own their own business, however, have a great deal of freedom to choose the type of pictures they want to take as well as set their own schedules. The downside of this work environment is that photographers often have to find their own work via specialized marketing and promotion, and breaking into the business in this way can be difficult.
Becoming a Photographer
Photographers by nature tend to be creative. A good photographer has an eye for artistic expression, balance, and coordinated visual flow. Employers often seek photographers who can dream up new ideas and propose innovative concepts. Some employers also often seek photographers with college degrees or courses relating to photography. Most photographers also work in or around large cities.
Photography is a highly competitive field, and a great many photographers actually work for themselves.
