I am a quite shy person ad often, when i find an interesting composition-subject (like a person doing something, a goup of people in a nice setting etc), i struggle to capture it because i feel like i’m being rude taking pictures without their approval, but at the same time i think that, by asking them, the spontaneity of the shot would be compromised. What’s your take about it?
Most people, particularly anyone with a passing fancy for photography, will return the favor of expanding their brain in this manner with a few seconds of their time for your photo. It’s not a compliment; it’s insight into your process that they can try themselves, or if they already knew it, they will realize you have some idea of what you’re doing.
Exactly. That’s the idea. To let them know I’m a photographer with the intention of making a photograph, not a weirdo that wants to just look at them forever. If it’s less about them and more about a photo, they’re more open to it. They’re helping me make something and it doesn’t take much effort on their part. So I usually avoid anything that could be construed as a compliment. “The sun looks really interesting through your hair” > “Your hair looks really pretty with the sun shining through it.” Sometimes a compliment is the right way though. My gut usually tells me what’s appropriate and most advantageous.