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?
If you think its going to be a good photo take it and explain yourself after. Most people are fine with it so they will just continue doing what they are doing. I’d find it awkward and a bit annoying to talk to every person I photograph on the street, but happy to speak to anyone who wants to ask.
Check laws about public photography but most places its fine to take photos of whatever you can see.