Public Administration & LegalISCO 2642
Picture editor
Picture editors select and approve photographs and illustrations for newspapers, journals and magazines. Picture editors make sure that the photographs are delivered on time for publication.
Check yourself in a minute: picture editor
Rate 5 of the 21 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
edit negatives
select photos
consult information sources
adapt to type of media
meet deadlines
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (21)
photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.editorial standardseditorial standardsThe guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.graphic designgraphic designThe techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.post-processing of photographspost-processing of photographsThe characteristics of software and techniques used in post-processing photographs.press lawpress lawThe laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.edit negativesedit negativesUse different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.select photosselect photosReview sets of images and select the best work.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.adapt to type of mediaadapt to type of mediaAdapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.perform image editingperform image editingEdit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.consult with editorconsult with editorConsult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.supervise staffsupervise staffOversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.supervise worksupervise workDirect and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...follow ethical code of conduct of journalistsfollow ethical code of conduct of journalistsFollow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.build contacts to maintain news flowbuild contacts to maintain news flowBuild contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general publi...negotiate exploitation rightsnegotiate exploitation rightsNegotiate with the creator the rights to communicate a work to the public and to reproduce it.edit photographsedit photographsResize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.
Optional (24) — show
digital content creationdigital content creationCreate and edit new content (from word processing to images and video); integrate and re-elaborate previous knowledge and content; produce creative expressions, media outputs and programming; deal wit...motion graphicsmotion graphicsThe techniques and software for creating the illusion of motion such as keyframing, Adobe After Effects, and Nuke.desktop publishingdesktop publishingThe creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.use presentation softwareuse presentation softwareUse software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.participate in editorial meetingsparticipate in editorial meetingsParticipate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.create rough cutcreate rough cutDeliver a programme/film following the first editing process. Indicate future improvements.create online news contentcreate online news contentCreate and upload news content for e.g. websites, blogs and social media.set up photographic equipmentset up photographic equipmentChoose the best position and orientation of the camera to capture the scene, along with other necessary equipment.follow newspaper house stylefollow newspaper house styleProduce concise and accurate copy according to newspaper's house style and to strict deadlines-daily newspapers may have several each day.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.perform video editingperform video editingRearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, ...select camera aperturesselect camera aperturesAdjust lens apertures, shutter speeds and camera focus.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.colour grade images with digital intermediatecolour grade images with digital intermediateUse a scanning device to scan film negatives in order to digitally fine-tune them using image editing software.select photographic equipmentselect photographic equipmentSelect appropriate photographic equipment and background properties, and adapt it according to subjects, materials, and conditions.maintain photographic equipmentmaintain photographic equipmentExecute maintenance tasks to keep photographic equipment functioning properly.use photographic equipmentuse photographic equipmentUse analogue or digital camera equipment, along with a variety of accessories such as tripods, filters and lenses.perform backupsperform backupsImplement backup procedures to backup data and systems to ensure permanent and reliable system operation. Execute data backups in order to secure information by copying and archiving to ensure integri...create editorial boardcreate editorial boardCreate the outline for each publication and news broadcast. Determine the events that will be covered and the length of these articles and stories.search for a suitable filming locationsearch for a suitable filming locationSearch for locations suitable for film or photo shoots.check storiescheck storiesSeek out and investigate stories via your contacts, press releases and other media.follow the newsfollow the newsFollow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a picture editor do?
Picture editors select and approve photographs and illustrations for newspapers, journals and magazines. Picture editors make sure that the photographs are delivered on time for publication.
What skills does a picture editor need?
A picture editor needs 21 essential skills, including photography, editorial standards, graphic design, multimedia systems, post-processing of photographs.
Will AI replace picture editor jobs?
The AI disruption score for picture editor is 68/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: use word processing software, perform backups, follow the news. Most resilient: maintain photographic equipment, follow ethical code of conduct of journalists, set up photographic equipment.
AI Replacement Risk
68/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills21
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