Mandela Memorial Photographer Defends Obama's “Selfie”

"Photos can lie," AFP photographer says of moment.

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.

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