In times of conflict, photography acquires an increased role in the treatment of news by the daily press. While being a medium of information, it can convey other functions of argumentative, demonstrative and emotional nature the press uses to influence its public.  This study aims to show that in times of conflict or crisis, the images that tell the story have an impact on the awareness of the masses, as they are constantly exposed to the risk of manipulation. We will try to highlight the factors involved in the presentation of the event and the way in which photography is influenced, focusing on the analysis of two strategies inherent to wartime communication, manipulation and legitimacy of the intervention.  The conflict we are referring to is that of Kosovo, whose international media coverage was significant, spread considerably over time, photographed and commented on daily by the Albanian and French media.  Our study is descriptive and analytical. What aspects and what discursive strategies do influence the audience? The image, is it a witness or a manipulator? These are some of the questions we will address by exploiting the photos of the French newspapers "Le Monde" and "Le Figaro" for the period from January to June 1999.