Collections Photographer - Specialist II (Temporary)

Overview

Digital Imaging Services (DIS) of the New York Public Library is hiring a Collections Photographer to support the ongoing digitization of special collections and archives material from NYPL’s diverse holdings.

A critical member of the Digital Imaging Services team, the Collections Photographer is responsible for producing high-quality digital images of NYPL’s holdings for research, access, exhibition, and preservation use.

Collections Photographers, supported by Collections, Registrar, Conservation, Rights and Permissions, and other relevant stakeholders, work with a wide variety of collections mediums, everything from bound manuscripts to photographic prints and negatives, to paintings and sculptures, balancing best practices and completing deadlines to ensure images are produced safely and to standards-based specs.

Located within the New York Public Library’s Department of Collections Access & Discovery, DIS provides digital surrogates of collection materials for research and private use in its main lab in Long Island City, as well as on-site within other NYPL Research Centers located around Manhattan.

This position is temporary and funded for 3 years.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Imaging Operations, the Collections Photographer :

• Performs high volume digital capture of Library collections using specialized high-resolution camera systems, studio lighting, digitization equipment and tools to DIS specifications, including post-processing and standards-based quality control of images.
• As an individual or as part of a team, evaluates objects and materials for digitization, determining the safest approach for digitization according to fragility and material-type, determining appropriate equipment, shot composition, and workflow to ensure the stability of the object is maintained while stated technical specifications are met.

Confers with Conservation and / or Collections to determine best course of action when needed.

• Maintains a safe on-set working environment.
• Evaluates stated project deadlines along with material and request details to determine ticket prioritization within the DIS production queue.

Self-assigns tickets according to equipment availability and the above criteria

• Performs post-processing and quality control of digital images
• Records all capture session progress and setup details in lab ticketing system, monitors active tickets to ensure deadlines and standards are met
• Participates in all DIS lab activities, including production meetings, standups, ongoing training, and professional development

Application Deadline September 11, 2024 Department Digital Research Employment Type Full Time Location Library Services Center Workplace type Onsite Compensation $68,177 / year Reporting To Steven Crossot

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications Master’s degree Required Experience

A minimum of two years experience in a photography or digitization role, preferably at a cultural heritage institution.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated experience handling both flat and three-dimensional library and / or fine art materials, ideally within a digitization context
• Demonstrated expertise in digital photography methods and equipment, ideally within a digitization context
• Demonstrated experience using photography related software within a Mac environment, including image editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop and RAW workflow software such as CaptureOne or Adobe Lightroom
• General knowledge of various photographic lighting techniques
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
• Must be flexible, comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, and able to thrive in a changing environment

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities N / A