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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8132

Photographic developer

A photographic developer is a person who uses photographic chemicals, instruments and techniques in a darkroom or other specialised room to develop photographic film into visible images. The work is chemical processing carried out to a procedure, in conditions where the material being handled cannot be exposed to light until it is fixed.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

handle chemicals

remove film negatives from processing machine

enlarge negatives

identify customer's needs

remove photographic film from camera

About photographic developer

The sequence is the craft. The developer loads the photographic film into the processing machine, monitors the photographic baths, develops the images, and removes the film from the machine at the right point. Time, temperature and agitation together decide the result, and none of the three can be corrected afterwards: a film developed for too long is not recoverable.

After development, the developer carries out post-processing on the images and stores the negatives. Post-processing modifies the developed images through retouching, editing or colour correction. The cut film is put into protective sleeves and the negatives are kept in safe storage.

Chemistry governs the safety of the work. The developer handles chemical substances properly and applies the laboratory safety procedures, including those for the storage and disposal of the chemicals used.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.photographic processing techniquesphotographic processing techniquesThe different techniques to develop photographic film such as chromogenic positive, Kodachrome and autotype.post-processing of photographspost-processing of photographsThe characteristics of software and techniques used in post-processing photographs.handle chemicalshandle chemicalsSafely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.remove film negatives from processing machineremove film negatives from processing machineRemove the developed photographic film, now negatives, from the machine and roll them onto a spool.enlarge negativesenlarge negativesPlace negatives under an enlarger so they can be printed on photographic paper.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.remove photographic film from cameraremove photographic film from cameraRemove the film from its holder in a lightproof room, or darkroom, to prevent light exposure.store negativesstore negativesPlace the cut photographic film into protective sleeves and store them in a safe manner.monitor film development bathsmonitor film development bathsPlace the photographic film in chemical baths with e.g. citric acid and ammonium thiosulfate, monitor temperature and treatment time.mount photographic film in processing machinemount photographic film in processing machineMount the film in the guide slot of the processing machine, pull lever to drop film into processing position.develop filmdevelop filmPrepare tools and developing and printing equipment. Develop and print exposed film using chemicals.
Optional (17) — show
chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...edit negativesedit negativesUse different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.manage stocked company materialmanage stocked company materialMaintain company material and stocked product inventory by keeping track of stock profiles and locations.clean negativesclean negativesClean photographic negatives and film negatives after development with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris.rinse photographic filmrinse photographic filmMake sure the film dries uniformly by rinsing it in a dilute solution of a non-ionic wetting agent.mix chemicalsmix chemicalsMix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.manage offset printing processmanage offset printing processSelect and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.test chemicals in development bathstest chemicals in development bathsUse specialised equipment to test the chemicals in the baths of a film developing machine in order to make sure that they are working properly.monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...soak film in watersoak film in waterSwell the gelatine layer on photographic film by soaking it in water.calibrate laboratory equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment....supply machinesupply machineEnsure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.test film processing machinestest film processing machinesUse precision instruments to determine the proper operation of photographic film processing machines.scan negativesscan negativesScan processed negatives so they can be digitally stored, edited, and printed.dry photographic filmdry photographic filmPlace the photographic film in a dust-free environment to dry.edit photographsedit photographsResize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.repair photographic filmrepair photographic filmDetect tears in photographic film, repair them using a hand stapler.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a photographic developer do?

Photographic developers use chemicals, instruments, and darkroom photographic techniques in specialised rooms in order to develop photographic films into visible images.

What skills does a photographic developer need?

A photographic developer needs 13 essential skills, including quality standards, photographic processing techniques, post-processing of photographs, handle chemicals, remove film negatives from processing machine.

Will AI replace photographic developer jobs?

The AI disruption score for photographic developer is 57/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: enlarge negatives, quality standards, photographic processing techniques. Most resilient: remove photographic film from camera, rinse photographic film, soak film in water.

AI Replacement Risk

57/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupStationary plant and machine operators
Essential Skills13

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