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Biden Carter: What’s going on in this picture?

This odd-looking photo of the current US president on a visit to the 39th president has been causing something of a stir online.
THE CARTER CENTER / Presidents past and present: the Bidens visit the Carters at their home in Georgia

THE CARTER CENTER / Presidents past and present: the Bidens visit the Carters at their home in Georgia

It seems to show Joe Biden and his wife Jill towering over ex-President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at their home in Plains, Georgia, last week.

Whilst Mr Biden is indeed slightly taller than Mr Carter, the image seems to be the result of distortion caused by using a wide-angle lens, says BBC picture editor Phil Coomes.

This has resulted in those close to the edge of the frame being enlarged, whilst pushing back those in the middle.

It's an optical effect that photographers can use to their advantage, or as in this case, it can create an artificial rendering of a scene.

The effect is also exaggerated by the fact that Mr Carter is leaning back, while Mr Biden is kneeling some way in front of Mrs Carter.

The resulting effect has sparked much mirth and amused comments on social media.

This user decided to try to swap the respective sizes:


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

While this one commented on the apparent physical superiority of the Bidens:

 



The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

At the age of 96, Jimmy Carter is the longest living president in US history; his wife Rosalynn is now 93. Like Mr Biden, Mr Carter was a Democratic president.
 

Former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter and (back row) Jill Biden and former vice president Al Gore attend a funeral service for former US president George HW Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington DC in December 2018
AFP
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter (with Jill Biden behind them) were pictured at the funeral service for former President George HW Bush in 2018
 

Source: BBC News:

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