Fine Art Photographer (Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY)

Fine Art Photographer, Full-Time                          Start Date January 2020

 

A team member with high-level technical planning and oversight responsibilities in creating digital images that are compliant with preservation-quality museum standards in order to correctly represent the objects from the museums’ Collection(s).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the actual digitization of the physical Collection(s) using industry-grade equipment and digitization workflows. This includes both acquisition and installation photography of fine art and final AK Public Art Initiative projects.
  • Maintain and develop skills in the use of professional digital capture systems, both hardware and software, according to current museum best practices.
  • Helps translate overall strategic digitization plans into specific imaging workflows for entire photography team for maximum productivity.
  • Works with members of the team to produce written and visual documentation of studio projects and workflows as part of a standard operating procedural document.
  • Along with the assistance of the Photography Studio Manager and Technician, manages the quality and control processes, and handles calibration and maintenance tasks.
  • Tests new equipment and technologies. Make recommendations on equipment purchases and repairs to keep studio updated and functioning.
  • Maintain and/or oversee maintenance of studio and imaging equipment.
  • Consult with curatorial department to determine views, appropriate setup, and lighting for museum objects. Works with collections management staff to ensure safe handling of works of art.
  • Process digital files to match original art objects, maintaining industry standards for color managed workflows. Conduct and/or supervise color correcting, retouching, and processing of raw digital files.
  • Prepare Photoshop scripts to automate file processing and to develop efficient workflows tailored to specific projects.
  • Provide technical guidance to other AK staff and collaborate with colleagues at other institutions on the production of images.
  • Other related photography duties will be assigned as necessary.
  • Under the direction of the Digital Assets Manager, basic management, organization, and ingestion of digital assets into the museum’s digital assets management system, Piction.

 

Basic Qualifications 

  • BA in photography or related field preferred;
  • 5+ years of professional digital photography experience in a museum, library, archive, or similar setting required.

 

  • Additional Qualifications 
    Experience with digital assets management systems preferred.
  • Proficiency with studio cameras, lenses, and other necessary equipment
  • Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, other graphic arts applications, and museum software applications visual sensitivity to a wide range of 2D and 3D objects; demonstrated skill with color-correcting image files;
  • Advanced knowledge of lighting techniques and sources; knowledge of large and medium format cameras; demonstrated ability to learn and to adapt to advancements in digital imaging technologies;
  • Working knowledge of contemporary art and art history, excellent problem solving;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines; strong time and project management skills;
  • Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently;
  • Experience handling art preferred.