Profession 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.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Multimedia systems

  The 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.

• Graphic design

  The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.

• Press law

  The laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.

• Copyright legislation

  Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

• Post-processing of photographs

  The characteristics of software and techniques used in post-processing photographs.

• ICT software specifications

  The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.

• Photography

  Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.

• Editorial standards

  The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.

Skills

• Edit photographs

  Resize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.

• Consult information sources

  Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

• Edit negatives

  Use different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.

• Develop professional network

  Reach 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 to date on their activities.

• Supervise staff

  Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.

• Consult with editor

  Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Follow ethical code of conduct of journalists

  Follow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.

• Supervise work

  Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.

• Negotiate exploitation rights

  Negotiate with the creator the rights to communicate a work to the public and to reproduce it.

• Build contacts to maintain news flow

  Build 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 public, etc.

• Perform image editing

  Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.

• Select photos

  Review sets of images and select the best work.

• Adapt to type of media

  Adapt 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB