What is a Digital Image Technician?
A Digital Image Technician (DIT) is responsible for the handling of content and image quality control. They’re responsible for ensuring that all footage is available for the editor. The role requires a vast amount of technological knowledge. The growth in the use of digital cameras has resulted in the creation and progression of the DIT position.
What is the Job?
The role of Digital Image Technician involves using a vast amount of technological knowledge to assist with monitoring exposure levels, colour correction, and creating dailies. The responsibilities and duties of a DIT varies from set to set.
A Digital Image Technician will also determine the camera’s menu settings, recording format, and output, and they will then be responsible for maintaining these. The DIT will work in collaboration with the cinematographer on workflow, systemisation, camera settings, signal integrity and image manipulation in order to achieve the highest image quality. A DIT is the connector between on-set time and post production; they are responsible for tasks during preparation, on-set time and post production.
The job also involves being responsible for managing data on set, including making data backups and quality checks.
The role may require working long or irregular hours on movie and television sets.
Key Skills
- Good communication: a DIT is responsible to deliver information in a concise manner to a hierarchy of colleagues across different departments.
- Problem solver: must be able to make informed decisions under pressure.
- Vast amount of technological experience
- Strong organisation and communication skills
- Strong IT skills
- Team player
Salary & Working Hours
Salary varies but approximately, a digital image technician earns in the range of £12,000-£20,000 a year. Those with higher education qualifications and experience can earn up to £35,000.
How to Become a Digital Image Technician
There are no set entry routes for this career. Junior positions may only require GCSEs at grades A*-C, but there will be some positions that ask for A levels or completion of higher education qualifications such as relevant courses (photography, digital imaging, videography). You could apply to be a camera trainee which would provide hands on experience in the industry and will also help to build contacts in the industry.
Previous experience working in photography and IT would be useful for this career, and having experience working with software such as Photoshop may put you at an advantage.
Relevant degrees in videography and photography would also be useful.
Where can it take you?
As a Digital Image Technician, it may be possible to progress to management positions. On top of this, many individuals in this industry choose to set up their own business.
Become a Digital Image Technician Today
If you are ready for the next step in your career, why not take a look at the latest Digital Image Technician vacancies on our jobs board? You can view our latest vacancies here.