The guy on the cell phone didn't say a thing, but I was at the other end of the bridge and the photo was shot at 300mm then cropped to actual pixels.
We spent 3 hours downtown and shot about 400 photos each. Only one person said anything and that was to Chris when we first started about asking permission before taking someone's photo, and she wasn't even taking that person picture at the time.
Like Anthony said in your thread about being shy about taking photos like this I can relate to. One shot I did shoot head on holding the camera without hiding it was at the homeless lady holding the sign about her house being burned down. Did this in one shot and could not do more without having a feeling inside. That is why I'm comfortable shooting with a large zoom lens. I also have a knack of holding the camera at my side and taking a shot and getting it to come out within 25^ of being straight. Sometimes this works out without a crop and I want the angle to be in the shot "Personal Crosswalk"
We did encounter one guy who was in a wheelchair who had no legs, as soon as he saw us walking down the street with our cameras he covered up. We approached him and asked if we could take his pictures and he explained why and asked if we would not photograph him. I gave him five dollars, we turned around and worked our way back in the other direction.
One thing I learned growing up in the city, a lot of these "homeless" people I saw in Chicago. I can bet you I go back in two months and the same people will be in the same place. This is what "some" (not all) of these people do for a living.
This was an interesting Challenge for us. Thanks, who ever issued it.
Rick