The problem with opening new windows (especially maximized ones) is that the user could be clicking on a link, taking a sip of coffee, link opens, user looks at it and wants to go back.... AAAARGH!!! no more back button. What has happened to my browser! I cannot get back. And user runs out of the room screaming.
Of course, this is an exaggerated example, but if your userbase does not know how to maximize the browser, they could be equally confused but the inability to go back to the previous page. And the bottom line is, that your reasoning for opening the new window would work just the same (without any rewording) on opening the picture in the same window.