Kanye West -- I'mma Let You Pose For MY Pics ... That Sweatshirt is Dope

Kanye West doesn't fraternize with photogs ... but when one of the guys snapping his pics is wearing a dope sweatshirt -- Yeezus changes his tune.

Mr. West was catching a cab Wednesday in New York City when one of the photogs caught Kanye's eye ... his fashion eye.

Kanye put his trip on pause and snapped a few pics of the sweatshirt.

But maybe the most puzzling thing ... why is Kanye taking a Yellow Cab?