There isn't any theft, but it's still violation of the creators right to his work. I've actually been in his place and spent time approaching the sites directly

There isn't any theft, but it's still violation of the creators right to his work. I've actually been in his place and spent time approaching the sites directly, it was significantly more difficult and more of a waste of my time than the DMCA process seems to be. Essentially, don't be a dick and lift someones picture because it's on the internet.