Understanding the weird Biden-Carter photo could help you take better selfies

[Michie]

It's likely not lens distortion that caused the curious appearance. Instead, it's something called perspective distortion.

By now, you’ve probably seen the picture of the President and First Lady Biden hanging out with former President and First Lady Carter. It’s notable for its historic aspects, but it also looks plain weird. The Bidens dwarf the Carters, who are sitting in oversized armchairs. It almost seems Photoshopped.

https://twitter.com/CarterCenter/status/1389400596004970501/
I’ve already seen a few explanations kicking around attributing the weirdness to a wide-angle lens, but that’s only part of the story.

Continued below.
Understanding the weird Biden-Carter photo could help you take better selfies | Popular Science

 

[adderbolt]

President Jimmy Carter was 5'10" and he might have lost a couple of inches in his spine since then, but ... ???