Camera flurry sign of country's new status

Clicking camera shutters and photographers' flashes usually begin bombarding VIPs the moment they enter a media event venue, and then again every time they make a hand or body gesture, with the cacophony and light show simmering down a bit when the subject is quiet and motionless on the dais.

And after around 15 minutes, most of the buzz of activity usually subsides, whether due to time considerations or perhaps because cellphone memories are filling up fast - or battery power is running out even faster.

However, there are rare cases when photographers keep close and constant track of subjects through their lenses for the entirety of a media event as journalists desperately seek the proverbial perfect shot, however elusive it may be.