I think to say MOST is unfair! My camera and video buddies are ALL very very respectful of the reef and their fellow divers. If we're diving with a group, my husband and I usually stay at the back and we don't move in to get close for a photo until the divers in our group have all had a chance to take a look and starting to move on. We let the DM know our routine ahead of time. If it's a very challenging dive, rough conditions or a dive where it's important for the group to stay close together then the cameras don't come. No big deal.
We've also taken bouyancy clinics and sessions with pro's for tips and techniques to safely get in close and out again without the risk of damage. And if we can't get in an optimal position safely then there will be other pics.
There is one place we've dived with for several years (non-Coz) that has a rule of no cameras or video your first day with them if it's your first time with them. Doesn't matter what certs you may have. If the DM sees the diver doesn't have great bouyancy or has any issues without the camera, they'll have someone spend the time to give pointers or even a full clinic. It was always done very casually and gets more then just the camera person or people involved. I never saw anyone get offended or complain. I'd really like to see more of this type of thing everywhere. Some divers want to capture every minute and I sincerely think that like with other diving skills, they don't even realize what they have to learn.
Camera or no camera, there are alot of idiots diving. I've seen fish punched, huge elkhorns landed on and broken, sponges touched, lobsters wrestled, nurse sharks petted, squid provoked to shoot ink, puffers poked so they'd puff.... and only one time have I seen it be a photographer. The certification programs need to do more to stress reef and diver etiquette.
