Image Quality Analyst

Boston Globe Media•Taunton, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Perform professional color correction and image enhancement to optimize color, contrast, exposure, brightness, shadows, highlights, and overall tonal balance for print and digital reproduction. Adjust RGB images and accurately convert them to CMYK color space for newspaper pagination and press production. Utilize industry-standard color management and imaging software to optimize image quality while accounting for press characteristics, including dot gain and ink limitations. Ensure all images meet established quality standards while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original photograph. Resize, crop, retouch, restore, and prepare images for publication, including black-and-white obituary photographs. Repair and enhance poorly exposed, damaged, or unbalanced photographs to improve visual quality. Maintain consistent color accuracy across multiple output devices, monitors, and media formats. Collaborate closely with the Imaging Manager, editors, designers, and production staff to ensure images support editorial and creative objectives. Verify that all images comply with production deadlines and quality standards before publication. Stay current with emerging imaging technologies, Adobe Creative Cloud updates, color management techniques, and industry best practices. Participate in editorial reviews, production meetings, and post-production discussions to continuously improve image quality and workflow. Develop and maintain custom color treatments, presets, or workflows for recurring projects, publications, or brand standards. Ensure visual consistency across print, digital, and other publishing platforms. Support editorial and creative teams in achieving the intended visual and emotional impact of published content. Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Requirements

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop is required.
Strong understanding of color correction, color theory, tonal adjustments, and image enhancement techniques.
Working knowledge of RGB and CMYK color spaces, ICC color profiles, and professional color management workflows.
Experience preparing images for commercial or newspaper press production.
Knowledge of press dot gain and its effect on image reproduction.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
Advanced Adobe Photoshop proficiency
Digital image editing and retouching
Professional color correction and color grading
RGB to CMYK conversion and color management
Image restoration and enhancement
Image sizing, cropping, and optimization
Understanding of prepress production processes
Knowledge of press reproduction standards and dot gain
Exceptional attention to detail
Strong visual judgment and artistic sensibility
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to prioritize multiple projects under tight deadlines
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
Ability to interpret and execute creative direction
Collaborative team player with a customer-service mindset
Adaptability in a fast-paced production environment
Critical thinking and sound decision-making skills
Patience, focus, and accuracy under pressure
Receptive to constructive feedback and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

Perform professional color correction and image enhancement to optimize color, contrast, exposure, brightness, shadows, highlights, and overall tonal balance for print and digital reproduction.
Adjust RGB images and accurately convert them to CMYK color space for newspaper pagination and press production.
Utilize industry-standard color management and imaging software to optimize image quality while accounting for press characteristics, including dot gain and ink limitations.
Ensure all images meet established quality standards while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original photograph.
Resize, crop, retouch, restore, and prepare images for publication, including black-and-white obituary photographs.
Repair and enhance poorly exposed, damaged, or unbalanced photographs to improve visual quality.
Maintain consistent color accuracy across multiple output devices, monitors, and media formats.
Collaborate closely with the Imaging Manager, editors, designers, and production staff to ensure images support editorial and creative objectives.
Verify that all images comply with production deadlines and quality standards before publication.
Stay current with emerging imaging technologies, Adobe Creative Cloud updates, color management techniques, and industry best practices.
Participate in editorial reviews, production meetings, and post-production discussions to continuously improve image quality and workflow.
Develop and maintain custom color treatments, presets, or workflows for recurring projects, publications, or brand standards.
Ensure visual consistency across print, digital, and other publishing platforms.
Support editorial and creative teams in achieving the intended visual and emotional impact of published content.
Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.