What is the role of photography as a form of social communication?

A photograph is a social connection: Taking a photograph is important as an act in and of itself, even if the resulting image will never be seen. As a foreigner in China, I am often asked if I will be in a photo with someone. They stand close, sometimes throw their arm around me (in much closer physical contact than would be normal without the context of photo taking), take the image and leave soon after. Similarly, I am often asked to take a photo of another foreigner with a Chinese individual on my camera, even when the asker has no expectation of seeing the photo later (and indeed does not ask that it is sent to them). It is the act of taking the photo together that is important not the image and signals the creation of a physical relationship between the featured individuals who are physically proximate (and generally touching), even if only for a few seconds.