PI - Photographers Overview
Photography is a highly creative and dynamic area of work within the creative media industries. Professional Photographers create permanent visual images for an exceptionally wide range of creative, technical and documentary purposes: everything from baby photos, portraits and weddings; to fashion, food or architecture; or records of crime scenes, medical procedures and scientific processes. Competition in this sector is vigorous, and the financial rewards vary greatly depending on the skills and specialisms of the individual photographer. That said, the work is usually interesting and seldom routine.
Photography involves choosing and preparing locations, setting-up lighting, selecting appropriate cameras, lenses, film (or pixel density) and accessories, setting the aperture, shutter speed, and composing pictures. A professional photographer usually works to a brief set by the client or employer. The brief may be very detailed, or it may allow the photographer scope for creative interpretation of the client's ideas, after appropriate discussion.
While public bodies and large organisations still employ photographers on staff, most are self-employed or run their own studios, and have to cope with the usual challenges and uncertainties of running a small business. Typically, they devote much of their time - perhaps 85% of their working hours - to running their business, rather than taking photographs. Like most creative professions, photography is highly competitive, and rates of pay depend on the individual's experience and reputation, the type of shoot and the budget available. Under these circumstances, a high level of determination and organisation is required in order to find regular work. The hours can be long and unpredictable, and photographers should always be prepared for periods where there may be little or no work. Success usually depends on steadily building up a business and gaining a reputation, which may then lead to more regular work and higher fees.
The relationship between photography, digital imaging and image manipulation has converged dramatically over the past few years, and these advances have expanded the range of image making tools available to the photographer. It is now the norm for images to be supplied in digital format, usually on CD-ROM or via the Internet, which may involve the photographer in extensive image manipulation using software packages like Photoshop or Aperture after the photographic shoot.
To work as a photographer you need a variety of qualities and skills including:
Good eyesight
A close attention to detail
Ambition and self-confidence
Business and organisational skills
A creative eye for colour, shape, pattern, form and tone
Technical aptitude
Excellent interpersonal skills
The patience to get the right shot even under stressful circumstances.
It is usual for photographers to specialise in a particular area of work and we have therefore prepared more detailed Job Profiles on the following roles:
Advertising and Editorial Photographer
Corporate (Industrial and Commercial) Photographer
Fashion Photographer
Forensic Photographer
General Practice Photographer
Medical Photographer
Scientific Photographer
Staff Photographer
Press photographer or Photojournalist
Assistant Photographer
It is possible to become a photographer with no formal training; however, a photography qualification not only provides a good technical grounding but some knowledge of the history of photography. There are a wide variety of further and higher education courses available, such as:
City and Guilds levels 1, 2 and 3 in Photography and Photo Imaging
A Level Photography
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma Art and Design (Photography)
BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HND)
Foundation Degrees
University Degrees
Professional Qualifying Examination of the British Institute of Professional Photographers
Courses that offer work placements and otherwise promote contact with industry are especially useful for new entrants.
The Skillset/BFI course search facility lists many full and part-time courses throughout the UK.
