Remember that old saying about how the camera never lies? That in itself is a lie, according to the photographer who snapped President Obama and two prime ministers taking a selfie — and now says it's been taken out of context.
"I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the U.S. or not," said Roberto Schmidt, the photographer for Agence France-Presse who was watching the president in Soccer City stadium in the Soweto area of Johannesburg during the raucous four-hour memorial service. "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."
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Writing in the AFP's blog, Schmidt also denied what he'd read on social media about the First Lady looking "peeved" during the taking of the selfie. "Photos can lie," he said. "In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, [British PM David] Cameron and [Danish PM Helle Thorning] Schmidt [no relation] included. Her stern look was captured by chance."
Schmidt, a German-Colombian photographer currently based in India, says he was actually relieved to see world leaders "simply acting like human beings, like me and you." The photo caused such a stir, he suggested, because we simply don't see enough candid snaps of top politicians. Normally, their environments are too controlled by their handlers.
"Maybe this would not be such an issue if we, as the press, would have more access to dignitaries and be able to show they are human as the rest of us," Schmidt wrote.
People attend the memorial service for South African former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Johannesburg on Dec. 10, 2013.
People wait for the arrival of President Barack Obama during the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela.
People sing and dance while attending a telecast of the Nelson Mandela memorial service at Ellis Park on Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mandela's former wife Winnie Mandela (center) and daughter Zindzi (right) arrives for South African former president Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Johannesburg.
People celebrate during the memorial service for Nelson Mandela in a bar in front of Mandela's house in Soweto on Dec. 10, 2013.
During the memorial service, people gathered in a bar in front of Mandela's house in Soweto on Dec. 10, 2013.
Two young women attend the official memorial service FNB Stadium.
A man holds a picture of late South African President Nelson Mandela during the African cup of Nations in South African in 1996, as he watches the retransmission of the memorial service for Mandela, at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Dec. 10, 2013.
President Barack Obama talks with the widow of South African President Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, during the memorial service.
A South African holds a portrait of Mandela during the memorial service at FNB Stadium.
A man holds a sign bearing pictures of Mandela during the memorial service for Mandela at FNB Stadium.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (right) shakes hands with foreign dignitaries as she arrives at FNB Stadium. More than 60 heads of state travelled to South Africa to attend a week of events commemorating Mandela's life.
People sing and dance during the Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium.
People attend the memorial service of South African former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, died in Johannesburg on Dec. 5.
South Africans attend the memorial service at FNB Stadium.
South Africans attend the memorial service for the late South African president at FNB Stadium.
South Africans gather at FNB Stadium to honor Mandela.
People celebrated Mandela at FNB Stadium with dancing and singing on Dec. 10.
Image: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images