Don’t trust everything you see.
While the internet insisted a stern-faced Michelle Obama was upset that President Obama was flirting at Nelson Mandela’s official memorial service, the photographer who captured the now infamous moment is saying something else.
And no, it has nothing to do flirting or shade.
In a blog posted on AFP, India and Pakistan-based photographer Roberto Schmidt reveals that the First Lady was not upset with the photo and despite how the photo turned soap-opera looked, she too was joking and smiling along with her husband and Danish PM Helle Thorning Schmidt.
I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance.
I took these photos totally spontaneously, without thinking about what impact they might have. At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you. I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium. For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural. I see nothing to complain about, and probably would have done the same in their place.
And about that criticism that Obama and Thorning-Schmidt should have thought twice before snapping a selfie at the memorial service?
Anyway, suddenly this woman pulled out her mobile phone and took a photo of herself smiling with Cameron and the US president. I captured the scene reflexively. All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honour their departed leader. It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid. The ceremony had already gone on for two hours and would last another two. The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not. We are in Africa.
Schmidt, unaware that his photos would go viral and cause the ultimate presidential drama, also had this to say about the internet’s behavior on the day meant to celebrate a global symbol of reconciliation.
I confess too that it makes me a little sad we are so obsessed with day-to-day trivialities, instead of things of true importance.
To read the rest of his story, click here.
SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter, Robert Schmidt
