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Photographers

Descriptions & Duties

  • Photographers take pictures/video of people, places or events. Write captions, take pictures of various subjects (such as buildings, models, merchandise and landscape) which are used in a variety of mediums, including books, reports, advertisements and catalogues, to advertise company/ customer's products or services.

Generic Competencies

Physical Abilities

Physical abilities

  • Physical strength
  • Eye hand coordination / precision / dexterity

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Technology Skills

Technology skills

  • Computer literacy
  • Application of technology

 

Importance:5 (Max:5) 

Skill is required all the time

 

Cognitive Abilities

Cognitive abilities

  • Creativity
  • Visualisation
  • Logical thinking

 

Importance:4 (Max:5) 

Skill is frequently required

 

Comprehension And Expression

Comprehension and expression skills

  • Reading comprehension
  • Oral / written expression

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Social Skills

Social skills

  • Communication
  • Negotiation
  • Persuasion

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Organisation And Execution Skills

Organisation and execution skills

  • Planning
  • Organising
  • Judgement
  • Decision making

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving skills

  • Ability to solve simple and complex problems effectively and efficiently

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Management Skills

Management skills

  • Leadership
  • Management of finance / time / people / other resources

 

Importance:3 (Max:5) 

Skill is basically required

 

Trade Specific Competencies

Knowledge of camera and lighting equipment

Photographers should be able to apply photography techniques with good use of digital cameras and tools such as lighting equipment, tripods, lens filters as well as image editing software. Freelance Photographers should also be able to prepare business plan, reach out to prospective clients, write contracts, and plan market strategies.

General Requirements

Academic qualification

  • Variable; certificates or higher diploma in visual communication, photography or related disciplines

Experience

  • at least 2 years' relevant experience

Other specific requirements

  • A polished portfolio would attract potential employers or clients; May need to travel and work irregular hours

Career Path & Salary

Private Sector

Monthly Salary $15,000-$20,000

Monthly Salary $20,000-$50,000

Government Sector

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 3-8

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 9-12

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 13-14

*For more details on Civil Service Pay Scales, please visit website of the Civil Service Bureau.
http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/pay/952.html

Related Education & Training

Work Environment

  • Photographers often work irregular and flexible hours. Always travel to clients' location to work. Long periods of standing or walking with heavy equipment may be required.

Tools

  • Atmospheric effect apparatus - Fog machines
  • Camera controllers - Wireless flash triggers
  • Camera enclosures or covers - Sound blimps
  • Camera flashes or lighting - Camera flash attachments; Focus assists; Softboxes; Studio strobe flashes
  • Camera lens - Macro lenses; Telephoto lenses; Zoom lenses
  • Camera lens cleaners - Camera cleaning brushes
  • Camera lens filter - Graduated neutral density GND filters; Haze filters; White balancing lens filters; Wide angle lenses
  • Camera tripods - Camera positioning tripods
  • Digital cameras - Digital still cameras
  • Digital image printers - Digital photo printers
  • Dimmers and accessories - Dimmers
  • Electronic viewfinder - Optical viewfinders
  • Flash memory storage card - Flash memory data storage devices
  • Lightmeters - Incident light meters; Reflected light meters
  • Photographic enlargers - Image enlargers
  • Photographic timer - Darkroom timers
  • Photography light reflector - Board reflectors; Lamp reflectors; Snoots
  • Still cameras - Film cameras

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