Ask before turning someone’s daily life into the background of your photograph.

A street, a market, a doorway is scenery to a visitor and home to the people standing in it. A camera turns ordinary life into material, and the difference between a picture that feels warm and one that feels taken is usually just whether anybody was asked. Consent costs a moment and changes what the photograph is.

Catch yourself before the shot whenever people are the subject rather than the setting. A gesture toward the camera and a look for a nod is often enough, whatever language you share. If the answer is no, let it be no and lower the camera.