Looking. Looking Back. Smoking.

For me, it's a good street shot - open to many interpretations.
At college the first assignment they set us was photographing people in the street.
I enjoyed 'street' for a while then felt I was taking and not giving back much to the subjects, slipping into looking for ironic situations and juxtapositions.
That's just me and in no way a criticism of your shot.
Well done for getting out there.

Thank you! That's really valuable feedback.
The only reason I'm doing this is to push myself way beyond my comfort zone. Your observation about merely taking, and not giving much in return, other than a selfish picture, is something I have pondered. While doing this I'm thinking if it would be even more challenging to ask people's permission first. I have no answers at this point. Only questions and curiosity, as it is completely new to me.
Thanks again for your interpretation.

Looks great, T. Love the choice of DOF and slight interaction of subjects. Great placement of the bike as well. Well done!

Depth of field makes this image so interesting, excellent.

Very cool, Thomas. I just love the play between the foreground and background. Strong.

Thomas...
If you want to push beyond comfort zone here is the receipe :
1) Be in front of the guy and shoot.
2) Tell him smoking damages his lungs.
3) Shoot again and Run !

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I'm having a lot of fun with this.

G - Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that next time, but I gotta buy an armored vest first.

I think street photography is one of photography's most potent forms of expression. We have an incredible record of the second half of the 20th century thanks to the likes of HCB, Friedlander, Frank and Winnogrand (to name just a few.) Selfish? I don't know... only taking?? I don't know, you make photographs. You make this record that is unique of this moment. The photograph is an idea, and it relates to the people and the place that falls within the camera's angle of view, and record something that might reveal a bit about ourselves. Not just the person pictured, but you the photographer, me the viewer... and in twenty years?? Pictures always get more interesting with time. Stay out of your comfort zone, Thomas, because these type of pictures are the best! I love it.

Suzanne, you echo my internal debate regarding the justification of practicing this type of photography, and I thank you deeply for sharing your view. It matters.
Thank you! I do intend to continue with this, and keep on printing them, to see where it takes me.

Finding your Rangefinder feet I see Thomas. Very nice.