The photojournalist who captured President Barack Obama snapping a self portrait with the leaders of Britain and Denmark at Nelson Mandela's memorial service said the "selfie" seen around the world shouldn't be panned as inappropriate.
Agence France-Presse photographer Robert Schmidt said in blog post Wednesday titled "The story behind 'that selfie'" that the moment was not as sordid as some in the media have made it out to be.
"For me, the behavior of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural," Schmidt said. "I see nothing to complain about, and probably would have done the same in their place."
The photographer said Obama had just delivered his Mandela eulogy and took his seat among the other world leaders who descended on Soccer Stadium for the memorial service. Schmidt said he recognized British Prime Minister David Cameron, but did not immediately know the woman sitting to the right of Obama.
The woman, who turned out to be Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, pulled out her smartphone while Obama and Cameron huddled up for the selfie shot. First lady Michelle Obama appears on the right of the image looking straight ahead, presumably at the events unfolding at the festive service.
"All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honor their departed leader," Schmidt wrote. "It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid."
The photo has taken the news world and social media sites by storm. Some news sources have dubbed it "Selfie-Gate," citing the world leaders' lack of decorum at a serious event and Michelle Obama's seemingly peeved look as justification for the backlash and criticism.
U.S. & World
The U.K.'s Daily Mail published the story with a headline that reads "Twitter fury over Dave's selfie with Obama and a flirty Dane." Documentarian Michael Moore wrote in a tweet "Obama, Cameron & the Danish prime min goofing around & taking a selfie @ the memorial. Michelle's reaction priceless." Both New York tabloids the Daily News and New York Post splashed on their front pages images of Obama's supposed flirting.
Schmidt said he captured the selfie moment two hours into the ceremony and the event was expected to last another two hours. "The atmosphere was totally relaxed -- I didn't see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the U.S. or not. We are in Africa," he said.
