How do you take photos of strangers without them knowing?

Is there an easy way to do this? I've been turning the flash off and doing it quickly. But I realise some people are uncomfortable or embarrassed, even if their face is not in it. Reason I ask is because I've become fascinated with what people are wearing and would like to take photos of peole's outfits.
Just wondering how you'd go about this. thanks.

I'm not sure what it's called but you can buy an attachment that fits to your lens that incorporates a mirror at a 45º angle. When you take the photo of a person you seem to be pointing the camera in a completely different direction. I'm sure that someone more camera savvy than I will be able to name it.

why not just ask them?
Some people don't want their photo taken and surely its better to respect this.

1) Long lens.

2) Hide and ambush.

3) Camera with an articulated LCD so that you can shoot with the camera held away from your face, say at waist level.

4) Aim at them and if they catch you act as if you're waiting for them to move so that you can shoot something that they are blocking.

5) Shoot them, walk up to them with a big smile on your face, and share the shot on the LCD.

6) Get a friend to help. Have your friend pose close to your target and quickly grab the shot you want, then swing back to your friend before the subject can look your way.

I've used them all. When/if I use them largely depends on the local culture and how they react to having their pictures taken.

Number 5 is my favorite and works well in most parts of Asia, in my experience.

Number 6 I've used when walking in areas where interesting candids might be had. While trekking in Nepal a friend and I took turns "spotting" for each other. One person would walk ahead and look for people doing interesting things. The spotter would position themselves close to the target, turn back toward the shooter and wait. The shooter could focus and set exposure on the spotter and then quickly swing to the subjects and grab a shot without disrupting the ongoing activity.

But do be aware of the culture in which you are shooting. Muslim women in lots of Asia generally don't like to be photographed. And it seems like the Brits have their knickers severely knotted with the thought that light should not reflect from their bodies for all to see.

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<hr>Some people don't want their photo taken and surely its better to respect this. <hr></blockquote>

I totally agree. Probably because I'm a brit ;-)

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<hr>If you shoot from the hip you can go right up to someone and they won't know you are photographing them.<hr></blockquote>

excellent tip! just have to work on being casual about it eh?

Just ask. It is easy and fun and a great way of interacting with other people while on holidays.

I agree with somsai not to take photos without permission. I dislike being photographed and videoed by tourists and expect that people elsewhere feel a similar way.

There are lots of ways to do this, and a good few of them have been mentioned.

But one option that hasn't been mentioned is using an ultra wide angle lens.
I get lots of shots of people this way, they just don't realise they are in the frame.
My 16-35 works well for this.

Gotta admit, I've stopped taking photos of people unless I have already engaged with them in some way. Bought something from them or had a chat or played with their kids. And then I get their permission first. The more I travel, the more strongly I feel about this.

It means I miss some potentially great shots but at least I don't feel like a thief anymore.

Get a good telephoto lens, or get professional to help you better deal with the fetish.

This is a good discussion. There are certainly some ethical considerations - the 'zoo' feeling, taking an image against people's will - that are balanced against the chance to get a 'good' photo.

Another consideration no one's raised yet is that if you ever hope to publish your photos in any kind of non-amateur setting, you need a photo release, which means you need people's permission to use their image.

Like Mr Trips, I've used any number of techniques including this one he doesn't explicitly mention - take the picture you want. Then, introduce yourself and ask to be able to take a shot. Often, the more posed ones are inferior for a number of reasons, but you've still got that first candid one and the subject's permission.

on the nonamateur setting... If you are selling as stock for commercials, you do then need permission. If you are selling your photo as 'art' or 'newsworth' you do NOT have to get permission to use the image (in the US at least). see Nussenzweig v. DiCorcia

Be respectful and try to be mindful of what you are trying to capture.

I'm even bold to preset as much as i can, put the camera to your face, frame, focus and fire -- most people don't know what hit them.. =)

On the flip side, I also sit down an talk to people before photoing them.

On both sides, I use up too much film.

There arer two ways for me nowadays:
- I ask people at the market if I can photograph their stuff displayed. Going very close and using superwide angle they are in the frame as well without knowing.
- I position myself with a zoom, usually 80-200mm, in a place in the mid of a crowd. I focus on one spot and snap away if someone walks into my 'field of fire'. People usually don't mind that as they walk into my way, I do not intentionally shoot them. A big grin from my side usually after the snap. Other folks around often laugh too...

- But most likely I get involved with the people, spend a long time, sign language, smiles, take some shots much much later.

Trying to steal a shot, then turning away as if it never happened is the worst in my opinion as if people do realize it then the really must feel like being in a zoom. All the tricks to steal a shot are quite embarrasing if you get caught - and sure enough you will get caught. More often than not.
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Oh, and I like to use small lenses. Albeit I use the huge 80-200 2.8 sometimes, I usually prefer the 85mm another fix lens as the smaller lens scares off people less.
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I just shoot the backs of their heads.