Asking permission is proper, not asking is probably better. Often times I spy on people and steal away moments and snapshots. Fleetingly on nimble feet I scurry and capture a flurry of furry fluff.
There's an art to not getting caught. I'll let you in on a little secret: stare at your screen as if scanning photos you've already taken. Looks like I need to brush up on my sniper skills: this photo's blurry and yet there's no doubt about it, her gaze shoots straight at my lense. "Spotted." My cover's blown.
I look up and see the real deal staring right back at me. She makes the first move:
"His name is Sony. He loves pastries."
Sony sleeps while his owner reads. She trades in her newspaper for a napkin and picks up a puffed pastry she pops in her mouth.