An excellent behind-the-scenes article at the Reuters photo blog recounts the historic moments of last Sunday, when President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. military forces.
The address seen throughout the world was captured by just one network camera. Upon it’s conclusion, Obama re-enacted the first 30 seconds of the speech along with his walk-out and departure for still photography purposes. It is a courtesy provided to the printed press by each administration so that a still record of important events can be properly maintained. There are also logistical reasons for the double-take:
To reproduce the same angle that viewers had just seen on TV, the still photographer must step right in front of the teleprompter and block the TV camera. This is the only way to do it, so stills cannot be in that position during the event. In addition, the noise made by the still cameras and the movement by the photographers themselves would be an unnecessary distraction for the President if pictures were take during the live address.
UPDATE #1 5/12/11: The White House announced today that it will put an end to re-enactments for photographers, concluding that the practice is a “bad idea” and vowing to work with the press pool to find a better alternative.
UPDATE #2 6/1/11: Paul Farhi of The Washington Post reports on the new arrangement reached last week:
Out: staged, after-the-fact photo ops. In: a single photojournalist, who will be permitted to snap the president’s picture as he addresses the nation.