In this country, we have the right to take a picture of anyone in a public space. There is the separate question of whether people want to have their picture taken, or what morally is your right to do with that picture. The latter question is something I grapple with all the time.
The photo above was taken in September 2012 near Washington’s Verizon Center. I submitted it in the Leica Store’s “D.C. As I See It” juried competition, and it was one of my photos chosen. About ten days ago, the Leica Store contacted me to say that, having heard his picture was up on their wall, Eric, the man depicted in the image, had come to the store, and that he really wanted to get a copy of it. After connecting with him, we agreed to meet on Friday on the Mall, where he was selling ice cream to tourists.
What a delight it was to meet him, a really nice guy, who seemed to genuinely enjoy getting copies of the photo taken of him. He said that while working near Union Station, someone told him his picture was up on the walls of the Leica Store, and he should go check it out. He said it made his day to see the picture. I can only tell you that giving him a copy made mine.
Tulip Frenzy 