Working conditions also play a part in how a photo appears. News photos are usually taken under great time pressure, both to actually capture the relevant moment in the field and to be back to the office in time to get the photo to the editors. Time pressure limits the photographer's options such as composing a shot and considering lighting conditions. Documentary photographers may come up against similar constraints but more often have time to contemplate how best to photograph a subject and then to arrange it, as well as time to live around the subject and then return to it later.

There are pressures of expectations too. Newspaper editors want eye-catching photos that jump off the page, but they also need photos with lots of information. News photographers will always take the standard shots to satisfy the picture editor and then maybe a few extra, more daring photos with more impact and style with the hope that the more interesting shot will be chosen. (At least this is what Matt Lee does and I think many photographers work this way.)