I'll weigh in on this...
Without the "no-touch" credo, the pictures we all take would no longer represent the experience. Hence, it becomes an
artificial representation of what we saw.
Our pictures are seen by others...divers, non-divers, friends and strangers. I feel we have an unwritten responsibility to share what is, in essence, the truth of diving and diving photography. We are not directors putting together a film with an imagined script. We are actually not even a natural participant underwater. We do not do justice to the viewer or the subject by manipulating the scene.
Another aspect...if the million dollar shot was easy, it's worth would go down. I vote to wait for the "great" shot naturally, invisibly, patiently. If it doesn't happen, its a good excuse to dive again another day!
In the words of John Y Kennedy...former president of Al's Carpets and Tile in Dayton..."We choose to go photo diving, not because it is easy, but because it is hard..."
Damn! This got too long. Best to all of you.