94153 – Photographic and film processors

Lead statement

Photographic and film processors process and finish still photographic film and motion picture film.

Main 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 orextensive related experience is required.
• For employment as a film printing machine operator in retail outlets, on-the-job training is provided.

Example job titles

colour film analyzer - photographic processing · copy camera operator - photographic processing · darkroom technician - photographic processing · darkroom technician · photo developer-printer · photofinisher · developing machine operator - photographic processing · film developer · film-developing machine tender · photographic film printer · film-printing machine tender · film-processing machine operator · film processing technician · film splicer - photographic processing · photographic and 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 · photograph developer · photo developer · photo lab technician · photo processor · photo technician · photograph enlarger · print inspector - photographic processing · photograph mounter · photographic film processor · photographic processor · picture enlarger - photographic processing · print developer · print retoucher - photographic processing · print tender - photographic processing · quick print machine tender - photographic processing · slide maker - photographic processing · X-ray film developer

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.