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Photographer
UCI Series Concepts
Class Specifications - D.15
Principal Photographer - 6221
Senior Photography - 6222
Photographer - 6223
September, 1975
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SERIES CONCEPT
Photographers perform or supervise a variety of tasks involving the use of
cameras, lighting equipment, darkroom equipment, photographic films and
papers; understand and utilize the capabilities and limitations of available
equipment to the subject being photographed and the film being developed;
know and apply the processes, techniques and equipment used in developing
negatives, making and enlarging prints; and perform other related duties as
required.
The series consists of three levels: Under direction the Principal
Photographer supervises and coordinates the work of photographers or
technicians, and may perform the advanced and more complex photography tasks.
At the Senior level incumbents work under general supervision doing
photographic work on complex assignments which require general background
knowledge of the nature of the material to be photographed. Incumbents at the
Photographer or operational level work under supervision and make use of the
full range of photographic skills and knowledges required to perform a variety
of duties.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Principal Photographer
Incumbents plan, direct, and coordinate the work of Photographers and
Technicians in either a large or highly specialized photographic laboratory;
develop and maintain quality control standards; may be assigned full
responsibility for the supervision of a large or highly specialized
photographic laboratory; maintain workflow; and determine the need for and
recommend purchase of photographic supplies and equipment needed to carry out
both standard and specialized photographic activity.
Incumbents not primarily engaged in supervision develop and operate highly
specialized photographic processing equipment; modify and adapt equipment to
fit new or unusual photographic situations; improvise and devise new methods
and techniques for use of camera equipment; and have sufficient knowledge of
the material being photographed (1) to know when to alter or improvise
equipment, methods, or techniques, and (2) to know the limits beyond which the
material cannot be altered.
The Principal level is distinguished from the Senior level by either the
degree of supervision exercised over others or by the possession and use of a
thorough comprehension of the use of special techniques and equipment, or
both.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and
responsibility are:
Directs a large photographic or highly specialized laboratory and is
assigned administrative responsibilities for budget, production records
and general operations.
Takes photographs of special underwater effects of tests for behavior
studies of animals, or high-speed eye movements in simulated space
conditions, requiring a knowledge of both underwater and space
photography.
Senior Photographer
Incumbents take still or motion pictures in black and white or color of a wide
variety of subjects presenting problems of unusual difficulty because of
fragility, changeable nature, or time factors, requiring special techniques,
exceptional care in handling, or unusual rapid and precise work; have and use
knowledge of the special handling and lighting of the subject to be
photographed; and determine the appropriate equipment to use, including
cameras, lights, film and adapt the developing process to meet special
requirements of each photograph.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and
responsibility are:
Processes negatives, prints or film requiring knowledge in a special
area of photography such as fine printing, and in-depth knowledge of
spectrometry, sensitometry and densitometry.
Makes still and motion pictures in color or black and white of clinical
situations, such as the interior of the eye, ear or throat, requiring
special knowledge of anatomy or surgery.
Assists the Principal Photographer in a large unit in assigning work,
devising procedures and laying out technical material.
Photographs three dimensional models, highly reflective art work,
portraits, paintings, and architectural and publicity photographs
which require special lighting and hyper-color correction and
filtration to render the correct color balance and fine detail.
Photographer
Incumbents take still or motion pictures of subjects in black and white or
color using standard photographic skills, with opportunity for repeated
exposures or for retakes if the original exposure is unsatisfactory; operate
a variety of photographic processing equipment; determine lens settings and
filters, types of film, shutter speeds, camera angles, and exposure time;
assist in photographing subjects presenting difficult problems of lighting,
arrangement, or requiring special techniques; maintain, repair and make minor
adjustments to photographic apparatus; and may perform the work of
Photographic Technicians.
The Photographer level is distinguished from the Senior Photographer level by
the time requirements for completion, the emphasis on standard rather than
special techniques, and the subject matter being photographed.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and
responsibility are:
Takes still photographs of research equipment and personnel for record,
publication or identification purposes with appropriate camera format.
Operates a 35 am camera especially equipped or set up for events
uncomplicated by rapid movements or for the need to depict depth of
field.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Principal Photographer
Two years of training at a professional school of photography; and four years
of photographic experience, two years of which must include performance of a
wide variety of standard photographic techniques involving complex scientific
subjects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and
knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties
assigned to the position.
Senior Photographer
Two years of training at a professional school of photography; or four years
of professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Photographer
One year of training at a professional school of photography; or two years of
professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.
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