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EducationISCO 2355

Photography teacher

A photography teacher is a person who teaches people to take photographs: the techniques, the equipment and the work of finding their own eye.

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Check yourself in a minute: photography teacher

Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

consult students on learning content

develop a coaching style

prepare lesson content

set up photographic equipment

manage student relationships

About photography teacher

Courses move through the kinds of picture in turn: portraits single and group, nature, travel, macro, underwater, black and white, panoramic and photographs in motion. The teacher helps students experiment with these techniques until they master them, and encourages each student to develop a personal photographic style.

The teacher takes a practical approach above all: they set up photographic equipment, select it for the task, know lenses and which kind of photograph each suits, and look after the state of the kit. Students are helped in using the equipment, and the history of photography is taught as well, although the focus stays on practice.

The photography teacher adapts teaching methods to a student's capability, develops a training style of their own and manages relationships within the group. Progress is monitored and exhibitions prepared to show the students’ work to the public.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a photography teacher.

1

Photography Technique Instruction

  • Teach photographic fundamentals including exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
  • Demonstrate and explain various photography styles (portrait, macro, landscape, etc.)
  • Provide instruction on lighting techniques and how to use natural and artificial light
  • Teach proper use of photographic lenses and equipment selection
2

Creative Development and Mentoring

  • Develop a coaching style that encourages artistic experimentation and risk-taking
  • Assist students in discovering and developing their unique photographic style
  • Guide students through photography history to inform their artistic vision
  • Encourage students to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements
3

Equipment Setup and Maintenance

  • Set up and configure photographic equipment for classroom demonstrations
  • Select appropriate photographic equipment for various teaching activities
  • Maintain and troubleshoot cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment
  • Assist students with proper equipment handling and care
4

Assessment and Feedback

  • Monitor student progress and provide regular performance evaluations
  • Give constructive feedback that identifies strengths and areas for improvement
  • Assess students' technical skills and artistic development throughout the course
  • Select and present photos for critique and class discussion
5

Lesson Planning and Presentation

  • Prepare comprehensive lesson content covering both theory and practice
  • Adapt teaching methods and content to students' varying capabilities and learning styles
  • Consult with students on learning content and their specific photography interests
  • Apply diverse teaching strategies to engage and motivate students
6

Exhibition and Community Engagement

  • Organize exhibitions to showcase student work to the public
  • Select and curate student photographs for exhibition display
  • Perform classroom management and maintain a supportive learning environment

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (20)

photographic processing techniquesphotographic processing techniquesThe different techniques to develop photographic film such as chromogenic positive, Kodachrome and autotype.photographic lensesphotographic lensesThe types of lenses used for photographic purposes, such as telephoto lenses, with a larger focal length and shallower angles of refraction for a magnified view, and landscape lenses, with a shorter f...lighting techniqueslighting techniquesThe characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.consult students on learning contentconsult students on learning contentTake students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.develop a coaching styledevelop a coaching styleDevelop a style for coaching individuals or groups that ensures all participants are at ease, and are able to acquire the necessary skills and competences provided in the coaching in a positive and pr...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.set up photographic equipmentset up photographic equipmentChoose the best position and orientation of the camera to capture the scene, along with other necessary equipment.manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...select photosselect photosReview sets of images and select the best work.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.select photographic equipmentselect photographic equipmentSelect appropriate photographic equipment and background properties, and adapt it according to subjects, materials, and conditions.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...maintain photographic equipmentmaintain photographic equipmentExecute maintenance tasks to keep photographic equipment functioning properly.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.encourage students to acknowledge their achievementsencourage students to acknowledge their achievementsStimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Optional (22) — show
assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...commercial photographycommercial photographyThe techniques and methods used in photography with the aim of engaging in a commercial activity.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.set up photographic exhibitionsset up photographic exhibitionsMake all arrangements needed for a photographic exhibition such as choosing the venue, handling budget, arranging the setting, communicating about the event and so on.edit negativesedit negativesUse different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.operate a cameraoperate a cameraCapture moving images with a camera. Operate the camera skilfully and safely to obtain high quality material.select auxiliary equipment for photographic workselect auxiliary equipment for photographic workBring the appropriate auxiliary equipment according to the environment of the photographic work, whether you are stationary or mobile. Make sure you are prepared to capture the desired motif.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.measure light levelsmeasure light levelsPerform measurement of light levels.rinse photographic filmrinse photographic filmMake sure the film dries uniformly by rinsing it in a dilute solution of a non-ionic wetting agent.create digital imagescreate digital imagesCreate and process two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital images depicting animated objects or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programs.develop learning curriculumdevelop learning curriculumDevelop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources. Organise content, form, methods and technologie...manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.develop artistic educational activitiesdevelop artistic educational activitiesDevelop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an ...keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.use photographic equipmentuse photographic equipmentUse analogue or digital camera equipment, along with a variety of accessories such as tripods, filters and lenses.create artificial lightcreate artificial lightCreate and set up artificial light sources using flashlights, screens and reflectors.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.test photographic equipmenttest photographic equipmentTest photographic equipment, tools and accessories.develop filmdevelop filmPrepare tools and developing and printing equipment. Develop and print exposed film using chemicals.edit photographsedit photographsResize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a photography teacher do?

Photography teachers instruct students in the various techniques and styles of photography, such as (group) portrait, nature, travel, macro, underwater, black and white, panoramic, motion, etc. They provide students with a notion of photography history, but mainly focus on a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students in experimenting with and mastering different photography techniques and encourage them to develop their own style. Photography teachers monitor students' progress and set up exhibitions to show of students' work to the public.

What skills does a photography teacher need?

A photography teacher needs 20 essential skills, including photographic processing techniques, photographic lenses, lighting techniques, consult students on learning content, develop a coaching style.

Will AI replace photography teacher jobs?

The AI disruption score for photography teacher is 48/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, photographic processing techniques, edit photographs. Most resilient: rinse photographic film, maintain photographic equipment, encourage students to acknowledge their achievements.

Quick Facts

SectorEducation
ISCO GroupTeaching professionals
Essential Skills20

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