Underwater Photographer Job Description Information

An underwater photographer's job is to photograph living and nonliving organisms and scenery for portraits, reports, publications, projects and exhibits. Underwater photographers must arrange scenes and shots to be taken and must select angles as well as determining illumination for photos.

 

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Besides photographing living and nonliving organisms, underwater photographers must also operate equipment such as cameras, diffusion transfer processors and microfilm processors. Printing aerial contacts, cutting and editing film, researching new techniques, making transfers and decals, preparing audio-visual manuals and maintaining inventories are a few other tasks that underwater photographers are required to perform.

Qualifications

• A photographer must have one year of experience performing technical photographic activities for educational, promotional, scientific or engineering purposes in order to land a job as an entry-level underwater photographer. A scuba diving proficiency test must also be completed prior to becoming an underwater photographer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of theory and techniques of modern-day photography are required to perform duties of a job as an underwater photographer. Also, a knowledge of the ability to choose proper settings on a camera and scientific subjects as well as familiarity with training others, advising technical problems regarding photography and taking aerial photos for interpretation are a few other things that are required to become an underwater photographer. Other qualities an underwater photographer should possess are good eyesight, artistic ability, graphic design abilities and the ability to work well with others.

Salary

• Typical salaries for underwater photographers are normally anywhere between $23,000 and $65,000 depending on a variety of different factors such as experience, job status and employer.

Training

• The completion of a 90-term or 60 semester college credit course in photography or photographic technology is an acceptable way of being properly prepared for a career in underwater photography.

Working Conditions

• Most work performed for underwater photographers is in the laboratory and field. while some are in the studio. The majority of the work involves the use of motion cameras, while other work involves the use of a still camera. Being an underwater photographer entails undergoing extreme weather conditions, working on high structures and in crowded places and sometimes near bus highways. Also, some jobs in underwater photographer require travel.

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Photographer Salary Information

Photographers take pictures to document an event, tell a story or express creativity. They typically need a high-end professional camera and the expertise to use the device. Although digital cameras are the norm, some photographers still use film cameras and know how to use the chemicals and techniques to produce non-digital photographs. Some photographers are also expert in using software to crop, enhance or store their creations. More than half of all photographers are self-employed, a higher percentage than most professions.

 

Experience

• According to The PayScale Report and as of May 2010, photographers average a beginning yearly salary of $25,000 to $37,500. At one to four years of experience, they make $24,151 to $39,905 and at five to nine years, they earn $24,650 to $44,169. At 10 to 19 years of experience, they receive $29,479 to $46,255 and at 20 years or more, they earn $28,641 to $58,997.

Employer

• The type of employer has a big effect on salary, with self-employed professional photographers showing the greatest range at $19,743 to $50,838. Those working for the federal government earn $33,500 to $49,938 while those in state and local jurisdictions get $32,323 to $51,000. Photographers working for colleges and universities receive $29,419 to $51,451 while those who work for companies gets $25,517 to $44,818. Finally, those in private photography firms average $25,000 to $41,494 while those employed by nonprofit organizations are compensated at $35,371 to $44,219.

Location

• Geography can determine pay, with New Yorkers receiving $33,939 to $51,520 and photographers in San Diego making $37,800 to $48,000. Those in Chicago show a wide range at $20,347 to $58,958 while those in Seattle are paid $23,583 to $45,000. Finally, those in Indianapolis earn $29,479 to $38,660 while those in St. Louis get $32,411 to $56,500. As for states, Texas shows the greatest range and the highest salaries at $23,583 to $63,000, followed closely at the upper level by California at $30,000 to $51,601 and New York at $29,478 to $51,116. North Carolina shows salaries of $17,687 to $40,521 and Illinois pays $19,888 to $45,781.

Other

• At $26,532 to $51,619, men earn more than women, who average $22,178 to $40,167. Though the profession does not typically require any kind of a degree, college diplomas can produce higher pay. For example, a photographer with a bachelor of arts degree in photography can earn $24,000 to $36,630, an associate of applied science degree-holder can earn $22,000 to $47,583 and a professional with a bachelor of fine arts in photography can be compensated at $23,500 to $49,500.

Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow by 12 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is about as fast as average for all professions. As the population grows, so will the demand for portrait photographers. The growth of online versions of print magazines will also increase the need for commercial photographers to provide digital images. However, competition is expected to be fierce as the falling costs of digital photography make the technology available to nearly everyone.

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How to Become a Photographer

To be successful in this satisfying career, you need an artistic eye, technical skills, a knack for marketing yourself and a passion for your work.

1. Take pictures for your high school yearbook or student newspaper after you have taken a workshop in the basics. You will get an idea of how deep your passion is for the medium.
2. Decide which type of photography - such as news, advertising or fine-art photography - best suits your interests and talents. Search the Internet for some online resources and organizations.
3. Understand that a four-year college degree is increasingly necessary if you want to be a photojournalist or a photographic specialist in medicine or other sciences. The contacts you make and the experience you receive from required college internships will be invaluable.
4. Develop an outstanding portfolio. Include excellent photographs you have taken on your own - in particular, those focusing on a given theme.
5. Be willing to work as a photographer's assistant once you have some experience. You are not going to be competing with experienced photographers for a while.
6. Realize that more than 50 percent of photographers work on a freelance basis. Many magazines and organizations that use photographers do not keep them on staff.
7. Attend workshops and seminars to remain up-to-date on technical advances in photography.

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