Ask before close portraits, religious ceremonies, private homes, or children's images. A brief gesture and a few words can change the entire interaction.
Notice when a place is being lived in
Markets, temples, villages, and neighbourhoods are not sets. Avoid blocking paths, crowding entrances, or treating people as background objects.
Put the phone down sometimes
A few minutes without photographing often improve what you later choose to capture. It also makes conversations and small details easier to notice.