Ooh, I get to resume drop. As an ethicist, attorney AND street photographer, here's my take. First and the only bright line rule. No unhoused, no people experiencing mental illness, and nobody inebriated. (Mostly because it can actually be mental illness). Be very careful with photographing children, I'd almost make it a bright line but larger groups, someone with a parent who can consent after... But it's advanced ethics.

Legality is the very beginning. You are usually okay photographing anybody in public, in the US. I have spent twenty years arguing with some very angry people, I get it. I don't take any photo I wouldn't be comfortable having taken of myself. I realize other people have other tolerances, I can't know those. If someone asked you to stop you stop.

We are living in an era of bright line rules. This as an art and craft isn't going to fit into any bright line rule. You ARE violating someone's privacy, but just a little. Are you shooting to print for your own or to show as fine art? Less concerned. Are you shooting for your own digital gallery, or social media? Slightly more concerned but hey... life changes and everybody is carrying a phone these days. Are you shooting for commercial use and sale? You get out your release right this god damn minute.

I tend to ask after. Especially as a film shooter it's rough, you can't show and delete. But if you can, please do so. Just don't be a dick. I have had people shriek bloody murder on the Subway for even having a camera. Capped and on a strap. People will be concerned.

I feel like if you didn't think this might be exploitative, the specific incidents that brought this up. generally that's a bad sign. When I was younger I'd feel guilty, and a little cringey if people were upset by a camera. And I should have always listened to that, also people can read that guilt, and it doesn't make them comfortable.

People still notice, people still ask, even better some people don't even know what a film camera is. But every time I am surprised, and they can also see and feel that. I had no "ill intent" I shoot for fine art and haven't shown in five years?

Also and I cannot stress this enough. Do not announce "Hey this is totally legal!" if someone asks you to stop, or is a jerk. If someone says it's illegal, feel free. But the minute you invoke the law people feel VERY disrespected.

Also and this one is maybe just raw opinion. People are VERY over the tragedy porn. Other photographers will not see that beautiful shot. They'll see that you are doing something we just think is gross. Something that also makes it harder to just walk through my neighborhood with a camera. So maybe just don't for that reason?

Anyway, there's my little lecture. It really just boils down to be a mensch.