Rapid developments in lighting, lenses, films, cameras, developers, and selling techniques advanced the photographer and the photographic profession to the level it enjoys today. Direct color photography now is used in all media and is in constant demand by the buying public. Other chapters of this book will go into more detail concerning the many types of photography and classifications of photographers.
One only needs to think of the high quality, close up photographs made of Mars and Saturn and other planets high speed motion picture cameras and the increasing number of photos appearing on the Internet to get a picture of the pace photography is making in mass communications and the growing visual consciousness among people.
Advances in color emulsion technology have produced many brands of color slide and color negative films with normal ISO speeds of 1,600 ASA or more. A mere thirty years ago, even the fastest black and white films were only 400 ASA. These new films have broadened the appeal of amateur cameras that can produce an acceptable picture anywhere under any type of lighting.
Electronic Imaging
The most recent evolutionary step has been the development of electronic imaging. In the 1980s and 1990s, the use of video images in home situations via VCRs became accepted practice. More recently, digital cameras producing still photographic prints have become available.
Electronic still cameras were shown in prototype in the early 1980s. A Japanese newspaper photographer covering the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was able to transmit electronic black and white pictures back to his newspaper in Tokyo within thirty minutes after taking them. Electronic scanner systems were then developed that permitted transmission of already processed 35mm color transparencies in about one minute. Both photographic and electronic images can be fed into electronic digital image processing units that can remove grain, improve sharpness, and alter color rendition. When images are digitized, a computer is used, via a keyboard, to retouch the image and alter its scale for page make up prior to printing catalog or magazine pages.
Electronics are an increasingly integral part of photography as we know it today: in cameras, accessories, and processing laboratories. New developments in the technology of cameras, scanners, computers, and other types of equipment continue to change the ways photographs and other types of information are produced, distributed, and used. New job opportunities, and job descriptions, are being developed. Anyone entering the field of photography today will find it ever changing and improving in the future.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
During the 1980s, the growth areas of the photographic industry overall were in increased sales of 35mm lens/shutter compact cameras, which accounted for about half of all cameras sold in the United States during 1989; the expansion of photofinishing, especially in the growth of one hour minilabs; and the domination of the film market by color negative films, according to the Wolfinan Report.Single use, disposable cameras also have grown in popularity since their introduction in 1987. During the 1990s the emphasis has been on the increased computerization of photography.
Electronic still photography equipment has been exhibited frequently at major conventions, and most major camera firms have introduced still video cameras, many of which are presently avail able for purchase. This type of photography is becoming increasingly common.
Harold Martin, editor of the Wolfman Report, summarizes that "photography has survived, continues to grow, and provides un equaled pleasure to billions of people around the world.'Photography, the Universal Language' is no idle slogan. Present predictions of gloom based on electronic technology will both confirm the trend for expecting the worst and confound the prophets as the market will grow. Imaging technology may change, but the basic appeal of pictures will remain. And in years to come, imaging technology will play an important role in many aspects of life education, communication, research, and leisure activities. The potential for growth remains impressive."
Employment of Photographers
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 139,000 people are employed as photographers in the United States. Some of the areas in which they hold jobs include the following:
Commercial photography, media photography, portrait photography, scientific photography, photojournalism, television production, movie production, artistic photography
About four out of ten photographers are self employed, which is a higher proportion than the average for all occupational areas. Many of those who are self employed operate their own portrait studios or other small businesses specializing in photography. Some work on a freelance or contract basis for advertising agencies, magazines, website development specialists, portrait studios, police departments, or stock photo agencies.
Salaried photographers work in a variety of areas. Employers include the following:
Photography studios newspapers magazines advertising agencies public relations firms government agencies
Many jobs are salaried, and qualified individuals work a normal 35 to 40 hour week. The demand for commercial and portrait photographers remains relatively constant today. While some learn their skills by on the job training, more and more still photographers, especially those working for major firms as industrial photographers, must have advanced academic degrees in photography, or at least have graduated from one or two year practical training courses.
Salaries
Salaries earned by photographers vary widely. Earnings differ by field of specialty, geographical area, experience, and other factors.
According to the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), beginning salaries in the newspaper field range from $250 to $300 per week, or $13,000 to $15,600 annually. Experienced newspaper photographers may earn more than twice that amount.
According to the NPPA, pay in the television field averages about $500 per week after five years of experience, or $26,000 yearly. Photographers at larger newspapers and television stations tend to earn higher salaries than those serving smaller markets.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the average yearly salary for photographers and camera operators falls between $25,000 and $30,000. Some earn less than $15,000 a year, while others earn $50,000 or more.
Because circumstances vary so widely (one photographer might operate a lucrative studio in Beverly Hills, while another works for a small town newspaper in rural Montana), "average" salaries have limited meaning when it comes to working in this field. Probably the best advice is to check with employers of photographers (or with practicing photographers) in your area and ask what income ranges are common. That way you'll get a feel for salaries that might be expected. Scanning the want ads can sometimes provide similar information.
Photo Lab Technicians
Photo lab technician skills still are often learned through on the job training, but there are a number of vocational training courses available for this specialty. This type of work is classified as not physically strenuous, but it tends to be very repetitive work done at a rapid pace, and workers are subject to eye fatigue. Work is generally in clean, well lit areas (especially in the growing number of daylight operated minilabs), but some of it is conducted in dimly lit darkrooms. Photo lab work usually involves a 40 hour week.
There are about 60,000 individuals who work as photo lab technicians, with about half of them working for large photofinishing labs. They earn an average salary of about $350 per week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, although salaries vary and some earn upwards of $600 weekly.
Canadian Outlook
We spoke with several professional photographers in Canada who commented that there are lots of opportunities for photographers there, especially around major population centers. They said there is always a demand for qualified photo lab technicians.
One Canadian photo writer said there are always opportunities for skilled and experienced photographers who know what they are doing. Since the population is smaller than that of the United States, and there are fewer firms using photography, competition is tougher. Canadian photographers have to generalize more to serve a broader client base and not try to be specialists in just one type of photography.
The Professional Photographers of Canada (PPofC), P.O. Box 337, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada J2F 6JE, is an active group of professionals that was formed in 1946 by a group of commercial and press photographers. They share their photographic expertise through a bilingual publication, published six times a year, and an annual convention. There are seven provincial chapters throughout Canada. You should be able to obtain current and pertinent advice from local members of this group to assist you in finding schooling or employment in the field of photography in Canada.
