Virgin Schmap

I was just reading Kordi's post on Virgin Mobile, Creative Commons abuser?

Also like John and Rowan I've been Schmap'd

"I am delighted to let you know that your four submitted photos have been selected for inclusion in the newly released third edition of our Schmap Auckland Guide:

Auckland Zoo
www.schmap.com/auckland/sights_zoos/p=55926/i=55926_7.jpg

Auckland Zoo
www.schmap.com/auckland/sights_zoos/p=55926/i=55926_8.jpg

One Tree Hill
www.schmap.com/auckland/tours_tour1/p=38878/i=38878_1.jpg

Takapuna Beach
www.schmap.com/auckland/sights_panorama/p=40629/i=40629_3.jpg "

This sort of thing always amused me as the photos that were picked, I didn't submit and they are not my favourite photos on those topics and three of the four photos that they picked have annoying copyright watermarks!

Another case of this was a designer in the US contacting me to use this photo in a fishing e-commerce site. I always tend to prefer right framing of images... it was interesting for me that the designer mirrored this photo so that the wharf was on the left... must be the sign of a creative rather than analytical mind. 

What is the going rate for royalty free photos?