15 Photo Editing Interview Questions and Answers

As a photo editor, you play an important role in the media industry. You are responsible for enhancing the images that appear in magazines, newspapers, and online. Your job is to make sure that the photos are clear and accurate, and that they convey the message that the client or publication wants to communicate.

To get hired as a photo editor, you will need to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in an interview. In this guide, we will provide some sample photo editing interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

1. What are the most important skills every Photo Editor should possess?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who can edit photos quickly and efficiently, so they may also ask about your editing speed or how many images you can edit in a day. When answering this question, list the most important skills that you possess.

Example: “The two most important skills every Photo Editor should have are attention to detail and creativity. Attention to detail is essential because it helps us catch mistakes before we send our work out. Creativity is also important because it allows us to come up with new ideas when working on projects.”

2. Can you give me some examples of photo editing tools that you’ve used in your career?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your photo editing skills and the tools you’ve used in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out some of the most important or interesting tools that you’ve worked with before.

Example: “In my last role as a freelance photographer, I used many different types of photo editing tools. One of my favorite was an app called Snapseed because it allowed me to edit photos on-the-go while traveling. Another tool I really enjoyed using was Adobe Lightroom because it helped me organize all of my photos into folders and collections. It also made it easy to find specific photos when needed.”

3. What’s your favorite tool to use for basic image enhancements like cropping, resizing, and color correction? Why do you prefer it over other options?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your technical skills and how you apply them to real-world situations. Your answer should include a specific tool, why you like it and an example of when you used it in a previous role.

Example: “My favorite basic image enhancement tool is Adobe Photoshop’s Liquify tool because I find it easy to use for minor enhancements that make a big difference. For instance, at my last job, I was working on a photo shoot where one model had a small blemish on her face. Using the liquify tool, I was able to remove the blemish from the final images without affecting the rest of the photo.”

4. What is a histogram? How can we use it to improve our photos?

Histograms are a common tool used in photo editing. Your interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have the technical knowledge needed for their job. To answer, define what a histogram is and describe how it can be used to improve photos.

Example: “A histogram is a graph that shows the distribution of pixels within an image. It’s usually displayed as a bar chart where the height of each bar represents the number of pixels at a particular brightness level. Histograms are useful because they allow us to analyze the color levels of our images. We can then use this information to make adjustments to the colors or contrast.”

5. If a photographer takes a picture at high noon on a sunny day, what would be wrong with the resulting photograph? What could they have done differently to produce more appealing results?

This question is a test of your technical knowledge and ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms. It also tests your creativity, as you are asked to describe an alternative approach that could have produced better results.

Example: “The problem with taking pictures at high noon on a sunny day is that the light will be too harsh for most subjects. The photographer should instead take their picture when the sun is lower in the sky or wait until later in the day when the sun is not so bright.”

6. When working as part of a team, how do you ensure consistency across all output produced by your team members?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and ensure that the quality of your output is consistent with other team members. Use examples from previous experience to show how you collaborate with others to produce high-quality results.

Example: “I have worked on several projects where I was part of a larger team, including my current role as an in-house photo editor at a publishing company. In these situations, I make sure to communicate with my teammates about any changes or updates I make to photos before they begin their editing process. This allows me to provide feedback to my colleagues when needed and ensures that all final products are consistent across the board.”

7. How often do you backup all the work stored on your hard drive? How often do you perform backups?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your organizational skills and attention to detail. Your answer should show that you are organized, responsible and able to follow through with tasks.

Example: “I backup all my work every night before I leave the office. This ensures that if something were to happen to my hard drive while I’m out of the office, I would still have access to all my files. I also perform a system-wide backup once a week on Fridays so that I can restore my computer in case it crashes.”

8. Do you keep track of changes made to an image or design during its production cycle? If yes, then how?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your organizational skills and ability to keep track of changes made during production. Your answer should include how you organize files, folders or documents that contain information about each change you make to an image or design.

Example: “I use a project management software program called Basecamp to keep track of all my projects and tasks. I create separate projects within this platform for each client I work with so I can easily access their specific details and assignments. Within each project, I create individual tasks for each photo editing task I complete. This allows me to keep track of every detail related to each project and task.”

9. What kind of computer hardware and software do you think is necessary for performing photo editing tasks?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the tools and resources needed for a photo editing job. Use examples from your experience to explain what hardware and software you need to perform your job effectively.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a computer with a lot of RAM, as well as a large hard drive that can store many photos at once. I also prefer using a Wacom tablet because it allows me to draw directly on my images without having to use a mouse or trackpad. Finally, I find that Adobe Photoshop is an essential piece of software for photo editing because it has so many useful features.”

10. Have you ever been asked to create something from scratch? If yes, what was it and how did you do it?

This question is a great way to see how you apply your skills and creativity to new projects. It also allows the interviewer to understand what types of projects you’ve worked on in the past, which can help them determine if you’re qualified for their job opening.

Example: “In my last role as a photo editor, I was asked to create an entire social media campaign from scratch. We had just hired a new CEO who wanted us to revamp our brand’s image. So, I created a Pinterest board with all of the company’s products and services, along with some inspirational quotes and images that fit the brand. Then, I used those images to create a cohesive Instagram account. The campaign was so successful that we were able to use it for two years.”

11. What do you think about digital watermarks? Are they a good idea?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any opinions about a controversial topic in the industry. They want to know that you can think critically and communicate your ideas effectively. In your answer, try to be as objective as possible while still sharing your opinion.

Example: “I don’t like digital watermarks because they’re distracting for the viewer. I understand why photographers use them, but I prefer when people can enjoy the photo without having to look at an overlay. However, I do think it’s important to protect intellectual property, so I would rather see photographers put their photos behind a paywall than share them publicly.”

12. Which methods do you use to store images in archives?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of file types and how you organize images. You can list the different methods you use for storing files in archives, such as using a hard drive or flash drives.

Example: “I store my photos on external hard drives because they are more reliable than USBs. I also back up all my work onto cloud storage so that if anything happens to my computer, I have access to my photos from anywhere.”

13. Do you accept criticism well? If someone tells you that your work needs improvement, how do you react?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can accept feedback and use it to improve your skills. When answering, try to show that you are open to criticism and know how to use it to grow as a photo editor.

Example: “I do my best to learn from any constructive criticism I receive. If someone tells me something about my work that could be improved, I take the time to think about what they said and consider if there is merit to their claim. Then, I look for ways I can apply their advice to my future projects. I find that when I am receptive to feedback, I can learn a lot from others.”

14. Can you explain why the RGB color model is the preferred mode when producing imagery?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of color models and how they affect the final product. RGB stands for red, green and blue, which are the primary colors that combine to create other colors. This model is preferred because it allows you to produce images with full-color quality.

Example: “RGB is the most common color mode used in digital imaging because it’s capable of producing an image with all the colors we see in real life. It’s also easy to use since it only requires three channels to produce full-color imagery. The CMYK color model is another popular choice because it can be used to print photos.”

15. What type of portfolio do you maintain to showcase your best work?

Employers want to see that you have a portfolio of your best work and can share it with them. They may ask this question to learn more about the type of information you include in your portfolio, such as what software you used or how many projects are included. Prepare for this question by creating a digital portfolio on your computer or mobile device so you can show it to the interviewer if they request it.

Example: “I maintain a website where I post my best photos and provide links to social media accounts where people can find me. In my portfolio, I list all of the editing software I know how to use and describe some of my favorite features. I also include a brief description of each photo along with when and where I took it.”