In addition to journalistic and artistic thinking, photojournalists are required to understand their role as formers of worldviews and opinions.

It is important for a photographer to be able to think critically when photographing, and for them to know what they are allowed to photograph. In addition to personal moral codes, many countries have laws that protect both photographers and their subjects.

In general, in democratic states, it is allowed to take photographs in public environments.

Milieus can be divided into three categories: public, semi-public and private. In general, in democratic states, it is allowed to take photographs in public environments.

Public space is something to which everyone has free access: train stations, airports, parks, streets, libraries, shopping centres and hospital lobbies. Nevertheless, a country may legally restrict photography in certain public places such as airports due to national security concerns. Semi-public spaces include offices and factories, and photographing in them is generally forbidden, if it infringes the privacy of the subjects. Privacy laws protect private areas designated for housing, such as apartments, private yards and hotel rooms. It is forbidden to photograph a person in a place protected by privacy without their permission.

Generally, at least in many countries, you also need permission from the parents to photograph a child.

When travelling, you must acquaint yourself with the conventions and laws related to photography in the target country.

Photographers, especially photojournalists, are also bound by good journalistic practice and the guidelines for a journalist.

Thus, a photographer must respect human dignity and avoid focusing on characteristics such as ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, conviction in an inappropriate or derogatory fashion.

Additionally, the photographer must not publish sensitive things related to private life without the consent of the subject or unless it has exceptional societal significance. The photographer must also be tactful when dealing with death and disease and photographing accidents and victims of crime.

Photographers, especially photojournalists, are also bound by good journalistic practice and the guidelines for a journalist.

The cornerstone of the business of some media brands might be the testing of the limits of good journalistic practice. It is important to ensure that the employer or customer carries the responsibility for the published photos. Ultimately, however, most ethical responsibility lies with the photographer. Only they know what the camera memory card contains, and they decide what is handed over to the news desk.