>inability to right-click+save some how protects their work?

There was a time, not long ago, when photographers (and apparently some courts) thought this would keep people from appropriating work without permission.

In the end, it's a very minor inconvenience that can be easily bypassed. I'm not sure why it would inspire so much ire from anyone.

You don't see why ineffective government action that fails to do the one thing it was designed to do, but inconveniences everyone else would draw so much ire?

you've failed to articulate how forcing google to disable this convenience feature contributes to photographer's bottom line.