Good press photographers must have

Good press photographers must have an "eye" for news, just as journalists must have a "nose" for a good story. They must be able to interpret a story and decide rapidly how they can take advantage of the best opportunities to take pictures. The most difficult part of a press photographer's job is that he or she has to be able to sum up a complicated situation with just one photograph. The rarely have second chances and must be able to take the required shot very quickly. Indeed, speed is essential - if the photographs are not ready for the printing deadline, they are very unlikely to be of any use.
Most press photographers begin work with a local newspaper. There, the demand is mostly for material of regional interest. Photographers may be expect to photograph a lot of unexciting events but to keep up the enthusiasm to put something special into every picture.
There is strong competition among those who want to move from local to national newspapers. Here, the work is much more centred on news. The photographer must work under greater pressure and take more responsibility. Only high reliable, talented and resourceful photographers make this difficult move. The work is tough and can be dangerous. On an overseas assignment, photographers may have to cope with unfamiliar food and accommodation, physical and mental stress, and extreme difficulty in transporting the pictures from an isolated area to get them to the newspaper on time. They also have to beat the competition from other publication.