AS far as I can tell, the law usually permits public photography simply because it is quite difficult to tell whether you are searching for a frame, using wide

AS far as I can tell, the law usually permits public photography simply because it is quite difficult to tell whether you are searching for a frame, using wide or zoom lens, etc.. So the "take photo" as in "press the shutter button" action is probably legal in most parts of the world, as you say. One will face consequences when they publish photos or transfer them to third party - more or less self incriminate.