Tobias Schwarz / Reuters

Left to right, France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pose to mark the opening of the North Sea gas pipeline on Germany's Baltic coast in Lubmin November 8, 2011.

 The German, French, Russian and Dutch leaders opened the North Sea gas pipeline on Germany's Baltic coast. 

Many years ago, while working as a newspaper photographer, our editor outlawed check-passings, ground-breakings and all other  made-for-press events. What do you think about photos like these?