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Photographers
NOC code: (5221)
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Description
It's picture day at school and you wake up with a big zit. Great. At lunch you drop ketchup on your shirt. Perfect. If you're lucky, the photographer won't show up. If not--at least your mom will still treasure that picture forever.
A photograph can sell a product, document a war, or evoke a fond memory--but it is only as good as the artistic talent and technical expertise of the person behind the camera.
Photographers can work at a fashion show or a crime scene, a wedding, or a racetrack. They are pretty well "attached at the hip" to their camera--or, more likely, cameras--and know the workings inside and out. They have a keen eye for lighting, backgrounds, and composition (who or what goes where) and know which camera and accessories will deliver the best picture. Many photographers are freelancers--that is, they hire themselves out to many different businesses--so they also keep track of the business side of things.
Specific duties
Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial or industrial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism (news), so duties will vary. But here are some of the duties they might have in common:
- 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
- operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
- operate computers to manipulate photographic images
- adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
- use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
- process exposed film
Portrait photographers who are business owners arrange for advertising, schedule appointments, set and adjust equipment, develop and retouch negatives, and mount and frame pictures. They also purchase supplies, keep records, bill customers, and may hire and train employees.
High school path
A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses
would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary
programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should
consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for
your own career path.
Recommended Courses |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
| English |
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ENG1D
English, Grade 9, Academic
or
ENG1P
English, Grade 9, Applied
|
ENG2D
English, Grade 10, Academic
or
ENG2P
English, Grade 10, Applied
|
ENG3C
English, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
ENG3U
English, Grade 11, University Preparation
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ENG4C
English, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
ENG4U
English, Grade 12, University Preparation
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Math |
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MFM1P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied
or
MPM1D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic
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MFM2P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied
or
MPM2D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic
|
MBF3C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
MCF3M
Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
or
MCR3U
Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation
|
MAP4C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
MCT4C
Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
MDM4U
Mathematics of Data Management, Grade 12, University Preparation
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Science |
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SNC1D
Science, Grade 9, Academic
or
SNC1P
Science, Grade 9, Applied
|
SNC2D
Science, Grade 10, Academic
or
SNC2P
Science, Grade 10, Applied
|
SCH3U
Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation
or
SNC3M
Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
or
SPH3U
Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation
|
SCH4C
Chemistry, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
SCH4U
Chemistry, Grade 12, University Preparation
or
SNC4M
Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
or
SPH4C
Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
SPH4U
Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation
|
Optional |
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TTI1O
Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open
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TDJ2O
Technological Design, Grade 10, Open
or
TGJ2O
Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open
|
ASM3O
Media Arts, Grade 11, Open
or
BMI3C
Marketing: Goods, Services, Events, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
ICS3M
Computer and Information Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
or
TDJ3M
Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
|
ASM4O
Media Arts, Grade 12, Open
or
ICS4M
Computer and Information Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
or
TDJ4M
Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
|
* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate maths in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission
* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate science courses in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission
* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended
* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12
Career path
Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?
While you're in school, subscribe to photographic newsletters and magazines, join camera clubs, and search out summer jobs in camera stores, newspapers, or photo studios. "Expose" yourself to a lot of different photographic opportunities, get the training you need, and build up a strong portfolio.
With lots of experience, you might teach photography, open your own studio or becoming a picture editor at a newspaper. Self-employment allows for greater autonomy, freedom of expression, and flexible scheduling. However, income can be uncertain and the continuous, time-consuming search for new clients can be stressful.
Employers
These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:
photographic studios
newspapers
magazines
museums
government
advertising agencies
corporations
self-employed
Work environment
Working conditions for photographers vary considerably. Some may work a five-day, 40-hour week. Portrait and commercial photographers may work in their own studios or may travel to take photographs at various locations. Many photographers work under strict deadlines.
News photographers often work long, irregular hours and must be available on short notice. They may have to stay overnight on assignments, or travel for long periods. Photojournalists often work in dangerous surroundings covering accidents, natural disasters, civil unrest, or military conflicts. They might have to stand or walk for long periods, lugging around heavy equipment, in all kinds of weather, waiting for an event to take place.
Common job titles
Also Known As....
Aerial photographer
Commercial photographer
Forensic photographer
Industrial photographer
Photojournalist
Portrait photographer
Scientific photographer
For more information
Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.
- Work in Culture (Cultural Careers Council Ontario)
A wonderful site all about culture in Canada and especially Ontario. A great Learn section with info on mentoring, online learning, training institutions, etc. Be sure to check out the Library, which has more than 200 links of interest.
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