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?
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.