Photographers take pictures that capture a mood or tell a story. They use different cameras and lenses depending on the desired effect. In addition, they use lights, film, filters, and camera settings to alter pictures. Photographers compose the pictures. This involves choosing and presenting a subject to create a desired effect.
Photographers often develop and print their own photographs.
They may enlarge or alter the basic image in the process. Because equipment to develop color photographs is expensive, most photographers have someone develop their color film. A few photographers use electronic cameras to take pictures. These cameras store pictures as digital information that computers can read. Once the image is loaded into the computer, the photographer can change the image.