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The experiences and advice recounted by Shyheels make a great deal of sense. It is certainly better to seek the consent and co-operation of an intended 'subject' before openly taking film or photos. It can pay dividends, as he demonstrated. However, that is not very practicable (and may well be inadvisable or pointless) when a candid, arguably intrusive or spur-of-the-moment shot is needed - and I guess that most street shots of footwear fall into that category. A discreet (OK - arguably furtive) approach is needed in most such situations - the subject will probably have neither knowledge nor concerns about being photographed and will move on, none the wiser. Let's face it - if one wants that particular pic, it is going to get taken regardless of the subject's possible (indeed, probable) objections, based on an an assumption of a pervy interest.

I was not talking about anyone bringing any civil action, but about calling the cops and denouncing you as an intrusive masher or fetishist, or having their significant other run you off or even give you a thumping. While you may see heels as an art form and your thoughts and motivations may be innocent and as pure as the driven snow, there are enough weirdos out there that your actions in furtively taking images of a woman's high heels could quite easily be misconstrued. I am guessing you did not seek your subject's permission. As I say, there is (broadly) no legal requirement for doing so in most public places for non commercial uses but there are quite valid artistic, social and compositional reasons for doing so. You can simply get a better shot if you have a willing subject. I give you an example. I was in a picturesque fishing village not long ago where boats were being unloaded with much colourful bustle. It was a public waterfront and there were several photographers working the scene. I was the only one to go up to the fishermen, engage them in conversation, ask if they minded my taking images (yes, I know I was under no legal requirement - these were not for corporate or advertising use) And of the half dozen photographers milling about, guess who got the best access? Guess who scored invitations to go out on their boats? I reciprocated by gettng their enail addresses and sending them a few good imagee. They gave me some fish. The whole thng was friendly and engaging and I learned much which added to the value if the images I took. It was a really great shoot. Nobody objected to the other photographers, who kept their distance and shot impersonally, but they never got anything immediate and engaging. the thing with going up and asking a woman you don't know if you can take pictures of her high heels - and pretty much just her high heels - is that you can be pretty damned sure what the response is going to be. I would imagine you would be aware of that, hence the oblique approach. Legal, but... As a counterpoint, it is interesting to read on HHP the oft cited irritation of male heel wearers who find themselves furtively being snapped. There are whole threads denouncing this sort if actvity. Yes, it's legal...but...