O*NET-SOC 27-4021.00

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 3 – Medium preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresPrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.7508/2021
Speaking2.A.1.d3.7508/2021
Service Orientation2.B.1.f3.2508/2021
Active Learning2.A.2.b3.1208/2021
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i3.1208/2021
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.1208/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Near Vision1.A.4.a.14.008/2021
Far Vision1.A.4.a.23.8808/2021
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.33.8808/2021
Originality1.A.1.b.23.8808/2021
Visualization1.A.1.f.23.8808/2021
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.6208/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.Core2208/2021
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.Core2208/2021
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.Core2208/2021
Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.Core2208/2021
Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.Core2208/2021

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.4911/2023
Artistic5.1811/2023
Conventional3.4311/2023
Enterprising2.311/2023
Investigative2.2911/2023
Social1.8511/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 3

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.