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Flagged a blurry nebula photo in a Facebook group and got roasted by the admin
Last month I posted a shot of M42 I took from my backyard in Phoenix, and the Orion Nebula looked like a smudge because I forgot to tweak the focus ring after swapping filters. The admin called it out saying it was ruining the group's credibility. Anyone else get scolded for a lazy upload in a forum or photo community?
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kim.zara15d ago
The admin calling it "ruining the group's credibility" feels like a bit much for one blurry photo. Your mileage may vary, but in my experience, most astro groups have a mix of beginners and pros, and a smudgy M42 is pretty standard for someone still learning the ropes. Take this with a grain of salt, but maybe that group is just too strict for casual hobbyists.
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keithbutler15d ago
Oh man, does that mean my first photo of the moon that looked like a smeary fingerprint ruined the whole astro group too? I figured a blurry blob was just part of the learning process, not a credibility killer. My pictures of M42 look more like a faulty light bulb than a nebula. If that photo ruined the group's rep, then I must have single-handedly destroyed it with my first star trails that looked like a tangled kite string. I guess some groups just want perfect Hubble images from day one.
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the_eva15d ago
That admin was way too harsh. A blurry M42 is basically a rite of passage for backyard astrophotographers. I've had to reshoot that same target more times than I can count because of focus issues or poor tracking. What I've learned is to always take a few test shots and zoom in on a bright star before committing to the full session. If the group is that strict, maybe find a more beginner friendly one where people share tips instead of roasting each other.
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