Although you might not wanted to be spotted, this photo is great! I love the pointing from the man and both their facial expressions.

This is a great shot Dave! They clearly are amused by the fact that you're breaking your back by lugging around that huge lens.

Tom: they were definitely amused about something :-)

Agree with everything you said about the 70-200mm f2.8. When I using it some people think I shooting for a newspaper. To use as a lens when you travel, only in safe areas for me. But on the other hand your subjects seem not to mind they are being photographed indicated by the hint of smiles on their faces.

Great shot, Dave, love the expressions - and it's prompted me to make a rare post. I have a question. When it comes to taking shots like this, and posting them on the Internet - do you need permission or anything? Or is it ok because you're not making money from it?

Jimmy: in the UK at least (I'm assuming it's probably the same in the rest of the EU) people have no "right to privacy" when in a public place; i.e. it's fine to photograph them. As you mention though, if I attempted to use the image for commercial purposes I would need a model release from any recognisable people in the shot.

Cool shot Dave, the Dof is great and the expression caught is wonderful! Like Jimmy, I'm a long time lurker, first time questioner: After you've taken a shot like this, and been obviously spotted, do you go over and explain yourself, or just carry on? I love street photography but I always worry people will react in the wrong way when they see a big shiny lens pointed at them!

Congratulation, John. This is a very interesting picture: I like very much the B&W, and the composition. And having them smiling to you is really nice.
BTW, what are they doing? Are they from ATTAC association? It's their logo, isn't it?

Don't know why I called you John, Dave :o/ Sorry...

I'd bet you were inspired by yesterday's shot and purchased some of those fab socks - is that what's amusing them ;-)

Dave: what I normally do when I've been spotted is to walk over to whoever I'm shooting and show them the shot. In this instance I didn't explain what I was doing, as there was a whole bunch of us taking photographs so I didn't stand out, but in other circumstances I would probably just explain that I was taking photographs, tell them about chromasia, and so on. Generally speaking, if you take the time to speak to people, most of them won't have any problem with you photographing them.

Frédéric: I don't know what they were doing or whether they have anything to do with ATTAC. I just spotted them and thought they looked interesting. And I don't know why you called me John either :-)

Jennifer: :-)

So do you recommend the smaller f/4 lens instead? Just to be less "visible". It could be a critical point in street photography. Do you able to shoot less candid shots since you use the bigger white lens?
Otherwise: I like the expression on their face :)

Beautiful capture David!

I love their animated expressions and the shallow depth of field.

Not necessarily a bad thing though. Being engaged with the subject is usually preferable, though I know it goes against grain of much street photography. Still, I think a shot that demonstrates a connection between photographer and subject is a good thing and I believe it is aptly demonstrated here.

I like the expressions, and how they caught you in the act.

You can't practise street photography in France or Quebec. You need someone's permission before you can take their photo, and if you take the photo and publish it without consent, you're going to end up in court if they find the photo.

Quebec follows French common law, so while you can practise street photography in every other province and territory in Canada, you can't in Quebec.

Otherwise, anywhere in the West, street photography is fair game.

E y e V i s i o n: I've just taken a look through my portrait gallery and realised that my favourites are the ones where the subject is engaging with the camera; i.e. they know they're being photographed. As such, it doesn't much matter which lens I used. For more candid work though I'd suggest that you dispense with a zoom lens altogether and shoot with a moderate wide-angle instead. You wouldn't be able to shoot head shots, at least not without sticking your camera in people's faces, but your subjects would be less likely to realise they're being photographed.

superbe n&b et merveilleux moment capté!

I'm guessing that they were amused by the scaffolding required to balance the lens...

Thanks all.

Their reaction is quite friendly from what I've experienced here. Makes a for a great capture.

Very nice photo is this! Great moment of the shot!

Shots like these are what I am most uncomfortable with. I don't want to be discovered by someone taking their picture as they may not react the same way these people are and if you take someone's permission to photograph them, they get concious.

I'm too intimidated by your most excellent photography to comment on your blog, so sorry :)