The craze for secretly snapping hot strangers is as bad as upskirting. Just put that camera phone away

in peace. I discussed the concept with a friend recently and floated the common argument in defence: that photographing someone in a selfdefined positive sense is more acceptable than if it is mocking.

They were in hearty disagreement: how can you knowwhat this anonymous person is comfortable with? How are they to know that your Peeping Tom moment is meant in admiration?

Who is to say that they have not had a terrible day made worse by being silently ogled on their way home? As Albert Camus wrote: “Good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding.” And I’m pretty sure Albert didn’t have a camera phone.

Sneaking a quick photo takes a couple of seconds. The sense of discomfort as your subject questions what they did to attract your unwanted attention as they travel, stuck with you in a small space or walking, vulnerable, through the park, could last a lot longer.

The people we pass as we go about our business are not exotic birds, flashing their plumage and begging for attention from a mate. They are human beings with the right to go from A to B without unwittingly ending up on your camera roll.

Put the phone away. Read some Camus instead.

Who is to say that they have not had a terrible day made worse by being silently ogled on their way home?