The Ghost of Snapped Shot

One of the most common tactics used by photographers against public figures who espouse beliefs they disagree with, is to select a somewhat less-than-flattering photograph from the stack, and release that image. Here's a good example of this kind of photograph, courtesy Tobias Schwarz of Germany, who apparently is not incredibly happy with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Reuters, as usual, is more than happy to transmit propaganda across their wires, hopeful that they'll at least get some kind of artistic award for their effort.

UPDATE 22-AUG-2006 11:33 EST: Of course, not to be outdone, the AFP's White House photographer does his best to disrespect the current Commander in Chief of the United States of America. Say what you want about him, decorum suggests that the President probably deserves a more respectful photograph than the three sent across the AFP wires. Our photographer, though, seems to be stuck in a second-grade mentality, unable to salvage any respectful thoughts for those he dislikes. Typical behavior of our juvenile media.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks up as she addresses a news conference in Berlin August 21, 2006. Merkel said on Monday it was important to get at least some international peacekeeping soldiers to Lebanon quickly as last week's truce between Israel and Hizbollah was fragile. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference in Berlin August 21, 2006. Merkel said on Monday it was important to get at least some international peacekeeping soldiers to Lebanon quickly as last week's truce between Israel and Hizbollah was fragile. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference in Berlin August 21, 2006. Merkel said on Monday it was important to get at least some international peacekeeping soldiers to Lebanon quickly as last week's truce between Israel and Hizbollah was fragile. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY)

US President George W. Bush listens to a reporter's question as he conducts a press conference inside the White House Conference Center across the street from the White House in Washington, DC. Bush called for urgent deployment of a peacekeeping force in Lebanon to salvage a UN-brokered truce that halted 34 days of warfare between Israel and Hezbollah.(AFP/Paul J. Richards)

US President George W. Bush responds to reporters as he conducts a press conference inside the White House Conference Center across the street from the White House, in Washington, DC. Bush called for urgent deployment of a peacekeeping force in Lebanon to salvage a UN-brokered truce that halted 34 days of warfare between Israel and Hezbollah.(AFP/Paul J. Richards)

US President George W. Bush listens to a reporter's question as he conducts a press conference inside the White House Conference Center, across the street from the White House in Washington, DC. Bush called for urgent deployment of a peacekeeping force in Lebanon to salvage a UN-brokered truce that halted 34 days of warfare between Israel and Hezbollah.(AFP/Paul J. Richards)

 Tags: paul j richards tobias schwarz REUTERS AFP #Disrespect