It can be selected manually.
If you go to "User CP/Edit Options/Thread Display Options" and uncheck the box "Show Images (including attached images and images in [IMG] code)" then images are displayed as clickable links rather than the image itself being shown.
You can also inhibit display of avatars and signatures in the same section.
I can certianly understand not wanting to customize the software.
Just imagining now ... if the Moderators who configure and establish a new Section indicate it as a Photo Share Always or not Section, then those many people who seem to have steam coming from their ears when they see in-line posts that are not in the photo sharing section could elect to "only see photos in the photo sharing section".
They could then happily never see in-line photos where they feel they shouldn't be, but happily see all the in-line photos in the sharing section. They would also have the pleasure of seeing all those signature avatars too.
If that function is already there, it may be worth enabling.
So those who elect to could then pick and choose what photos to view when outside the sharing section, or make the more global change you mentioned to even disable those auto-displays.
