9474 – Photographic and film processors

Photographic and film processors process and finish still photographic film and motion picture film. They are employed in film processing laboratories and retail photofinishing establishments.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

Chemical mixer – photographic processing

Colour film analyzer – photographic processing

Copy camera operator – photographic processing

Darkroom technician

Darkroom technician – photographic processing

Developer-printer machine tender

Developing machine operator – photographic processing

Enlarger operator – photographic processing

Film developer

Film printing machine operator

Film processing technician

Film processor

Film splicer – photographic processing

Film-developing machine tender

Film-printing machine tender

Film-processing machine operator

Motion picture film developer

Motion picture film examiner – photographic processing

Motion picture film printer

Negative cutter – film processing

Negative restorer – photographic processing

Negative retoucher

Negative spotter – film processing

Negative-contact-frame operator

Photo developer

Photo developer-printer

Photo developing inspector

Photo lab technician

Photo processor

Photo technician

Photofinisher

Photograph developer

Photograph developing inspector

Photograph enlarger

Photograph inspector – photographic processing

Photograph mounter

Photographic and film-processing machine operator

Photographic enlarger operator

Photographic film printer

Photographic film processor

Photographic printer

Photographic processor

Photographic-film-processing machine operator

Photographic-processing machine operator

Picture enlarger – photographic processing

Print developer

Print finisher – photographic processing

Print inspector – photographic processing

Print retoucher – photographic processing

Print tender – photographic processing

Quick print machine tender – photographic processing

Slide maker – photographic processing

X-ray film developer

X-ray plate developer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Operate equipment to develop negatives and slides, and to print black and white and colour photographs

Operate photographic enlarging equipment to produce prints and enlargements from negatives

Operate equipment to develop motion picture film

Tend automatic equipment in retail establishments to develop colour negatives, prints and slides

Operate equipment to transfer film to video tape

Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects

Splice film and mount film on reels

Measure and mix chemicals required for processing

Inspect rolls of photographic prints for conformance to specifications; or motion picture film to detect defects in developing and printing.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school is usually required.

For employment in film processing laboratories, completion of a college or other specialized photography program or extensive related experience is required.

For employment as a film printing machine operator in retail outlets, on-the-job training is provided.

Additional information

There is mobility among occupations within laboratory processing operations.

Progression is possible from automatic machine tenders in retail establishments to laboratory processing occupations.

Exclusions

Film strippers and assemblers and negative spotters in the printing or graphic arts industry (in 9472 Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations)

Supervisors of photographic and film processors (in 7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations)