Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Working Life

Photographic processing assistants work in the photofinishing industry, either in photographic laboratories or specialist shops. They process film and produce photographic prints of the negatives. They may also work on developed prints and transparencies and copy artwork, such as designs or drawings, onto transparencies.  
 
Photographic processing assistants can be employed in two different job areas; developing and printing laboratories or professional laboratories.  
 
In large developing and printing laboratories, photographic assistants deal with amateur film, such as holiday and family snapshots. Negatives and prints are sent by individual customers to the laboratory. The assistants use high-tech machinery to process the film. Some high street shops offer a similar service using mini processing and printing equipment.  
 
In professional developing and printing laboratories, photographic assistants deal with the work of professional photographers and business organisations. This work requires a higher standard of finishing and printing.  
 
Some professional laboratories provide a range of services, such as:

• complicated retouching to produce special effects or colours
• copying work into different sises or formats
• making transparencies from a number of different sources

Others specialise in particular fields such as black and white photography. A photographic processing assistant employed in a professional laboratory has more scope for creative duties, whether the work is done by hand or with the use of computers.  
 
In both types of laboratory, photographic processing assistants sort the film and feed it into equipment that scans, develops and prints it. They adjust the printing machines to produce truer colours. Other techniques include:

• retouching prints or transparencies to get rid of blemishes
• producing multiple prints
• providing various mounts and finishes, such as turning photographs into posters or jigsaws

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
• Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
• Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
• Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
• Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
• Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitise negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
• Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
• Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
• Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
• Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.

Further Information

• Photographic Technician- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Your training will be provided mainly on-the-job or through in-house schemes. Increasingly pictures are taken from smartphones Photoshop and other image development software filters in image production are becoming beneficial. 
 
Relevant courses in photography including processing and printing are available.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: media & production, creative digital media.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: digital photography, creative media, documentary, filmmaking, photography, film, photography production, journalism, new media, photographic studies, digital Imaging, portfolio preparation.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: photography, creative digital media, photographic Media, visual media, photography with New Media, communications, media production.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €44k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Indeed.ie/ Payscale.com/ Glassdoor.ie

Last Updated: March, 2023

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Retail Ireland

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• Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association (IPPVA)

  • Unit 5, Naas Rd Business Park, Muirfield Drive, Dublin 12
  • [email protected]
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