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How exposed to AI is a Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operator?

Of the 32 tasks O*NET lists for photographic process workers and processing machine operators, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 22 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Digital Printer OperatorFilm ProcessorFilm TechnicianLab TechnicianPhoto Lab SpecialistPhoto Lab Technician (Photographic Laboratory Technician)Photo PrinterPhoto SpecialistPhoto Technician
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
32
tasks rated for this occupation
5%
hold a degree, from a survey of 27
6k
people do this job in the US
10 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

10
  • Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software
  • Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols
  • Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures
  • Review computer-processed digital images for quality
  • Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices
  • Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together
  • Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges
  • Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers
  • Set automatic timers, lens openings, and printer carriages to specified focus and exposure times and start exposure to duplicate originals, photographs, or negatives
  • Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects

Cannot be sped up

22
  • Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements
  • Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images
  • Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes
  • Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas
  • Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements
  • Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs
  • Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment
  • Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines
  • Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers
  • Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions
  • Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions
  • Operate machines to prepare circuit boards and to expose, develop, etch, fix, wash, dry, or print film or plates
  • Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes
  • Examine quality of film fades or dissolves for potential color corrections, using color analyzers
  • Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity
  • Shade negatives or photographs with pencils to smooth facial contours, soften highlights, or conceal blemishes, stray hairs, or wrinkles
  • Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration
  • Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines
  • Dry prints or negatives using sponges, squeegees, mechanical air dryers, or drying cabinets
  • Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production
  • Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels
  • Apply paint, using airbrushes, pens, artists' brushes, cotton swabs, or gloved fingers to retouch or enhance negatives or photographs
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.