I'd love to, but no idea where to start.
Do you ask first? I'm worried that someone will have a rant about their personal rights (there's always one).
Asking, no. You could do - its up to you, but I guess the point of doing street photography is when people havent got a clue you're doing it. Thats the hardest part - its easier said than done.
I try to do it on days where there is a market involved and its a tourist area, that way, you just look like a tourist who's out just taking photo's. I also try and make sure i have the missus and kids with me as well, so it doesnt look like Im some weirdo on my own photographing people/kids.
Dont look people in the eye, that creates a response. If you're going to photograph people head on (and I personally, think thats the best type, getting people's expressions) make it look like you're photographing something behind them. i.e. lift camera up, take photograph and put camera down but look "beyond" them, not "at" them. That way, they'll pretty much ignore you.
Another way, would be to sit your bum down at a cafe that has chairs and tables outside and just photograph people who are walking around. I would recommend not to do it on your own though, there is safety in numbers, especially if someone does take offence.
Being discrete is the hardest thing though. With a DSLR, its not very discrete and a wide angle is best to capture most of a scene. Dont use AF, pre-set your focus to capture 15 foot in front of you and try and time it so you click that shutter when something interesting is 15 foot in front of you. Shoot at F8 or F11, use auto-ISO due to ever constant lighting conditions (saves putting the camera up to your eye to change settings) and if you shoot in RAW you can fix most exposure issues back at home, safely.
Another plus of having someone with you, you can always use them as the subject. i.e. get them to stand in the middle of a busy part of a street and get them to stand still for 3 or 4 seconds and have a long shutter speed, then you'll have them perfectly frozen while you have the hustle-bustle of a street environment going on. i.e. blurred people everywhere
If you do post dawn, please tag me in, I love seeing street photos, Im not very good at it myself, its time and getting brave enough and having the eye to capture something interesting, but hopefully this will all happen the more <we> all go out and do it
If you're ever up in the North-East Carl I'd be happy to team up
Will remember that Marcus and keep you in mind fella
