correct tense [is/was chewing and is/was eating]

[ansonman]

(A) Suppose that you and your friends are watching a video of John. The video was recorded ten years ago.

(1a) Bill says, "John is chewing something. I wonder what he is eating."

(1b) Bill says, "John was chewing something. I wonder what he was eating."

(B) Suppose that you and your friends are looking at a photo of John. The photo was taken ten years ago.

(2a) Bill says, "John is chewing something. I wonder what he is eating."

(2b) Bill says, "John was chewing something. I wonder what he was eating."

Most of my non-native friends think the present tense (1a) works for the video scenario because you are watching John do an action even though the video was recorded 10 years old. They think the past tense (2b) works for the photo scenario because he is not doing "live" action in front of you.

However, my other friends think both (1a) and (1b) are possible and only (2b) seems correct.

What is your opinion? Thank you for your help.

[Alan]

Yes, the present tense is normal in this situation.