IOTD Anything goes · Rodd Dryfoos · ... · 196 · 4065 · 2

Christoph Lichtblau:
The credo of astrobin is clearly to be a platform for astrofotographers not for astrofotoprocessors. I am the same opion like Rodd and Carole .Even it is abeautiful pic, I see it as an affrond against areal astrofotographer who takes the pics by himself over houres and nights. Same with the buyed data from chile scope. And I take this very seriously.

Alberto Pisabarro:

Rodd Dryfoos:

Alberto Pisabarro:

Rodd Dryfoos:

Hunter Harling:
In my opinion, Hubble data is far more difficult to process than my own data. And to get such unusual color as this one must be worth something.

I disagree...I find Hubble and Liverpool Telescope are hard to get, that's why I can't be bothered.  But once I have it, its easier to process than mine.  From the little data I have processed from these sources, (1 image)  it seems that there are no gradients, calibration issues, LP or other things that plague my own data sets.But difficulty is not really the issue.  Even if it is harder, the images, IMO should not be judged against images captured and processed by individuals with their own equipment.

Hello everyoneIt is interesting and it seems to me that all the comments are totally respectable, I am glad that you have the weather and the time to spend so many hours capturing our precious photons, it is true that the images of Hubble have an advantage over the images that we can acquire as fans , but we all have access to that data, and I have never had any problem accessing it, it is more you can download the data that I download if you click on the link below the image, and we can always create our own version of the same image , as you know it is almost impossible for it to be identical, although I understand that this does not have the same value, it is true that knowing how to handle them the data is magnificent and of an incredible quality, but it must also be borne in mind that many fans of variants, they may not have the facility to have the necessary climate, time or money, and I believe that if they have the option to continue practicing an essential part of the astrophotography with the Hubble data, why not? And if the revealed image is worth it, why won't it be recognized?I have been practicing this hobby for more than twelve years, I have been an active member of the astronomy association of my city for many years, right now it is physically impossible for me to go out for outreach activities or go out into the mountains to photograph with my team, so As I get the images with a private remote telescope and another commercial one, my images have no value, give me any equipment and I will photograph with it without problems, but first of all give me time, I do not mind sleeping little or being cold, I have spent nights photographing below zero with a trigger in hand, but it is clear that if the weather does not accompany, as it happens now in my region, where winters have gone from being cold and dry to being totally wet, and if I have to choose between my son and stop go out with the telescope, I am clear that I am going to choose, spend time with my son and for the moment until I can, obtain images remotely, and I think that does not detract Value to the images, that you do not like an image is respectable, but I think that the decision of those in charge of selecting the images of the day should not be questioned, after all this is a hobby, where we share interpretations .

A greeting.

Alberto.

First of all, thank you for taking the time to formulate such a well thought out and respectful message.  I never said that I did not like the image, or that people should not process Hubble data (I wish I could do more).  At issue is whether an image processed with Hubble data should be awarded the IOTD on this forum if it is judged against images created with amateur data.  I do not think it should--it is not appropriate IMO.  APOD--definitely, but not Astrobin.  I know there were many great images posted over the course of the same few days--or whatever time period from which he IOTD images are chosen, that the image in question was taken from (not really sure I specified an image actually--I am talking about a concept, not a particular image).  So the idea that not everyone has the time, or the gear, or the clear skies, or the darkness, is not relevant in this case.  Enough did....and usually do (I wanted to sways but that is a dangerous word).

I do believe that there should be image classes and each class (deep sky, solar, planetary, ultra wide field etc) be judged against images of the same class.  After all, there is no reliable way to compare a  lunar crater with a comet--or galaxy, or a solar spicule with a nebula.  To do so is to remove all objectivity in the judging process.  There needs to be objectivity if the award is to have any meaning.  The award must be predicated, at least to some degree, on agreed upon standards--or it is merely a statement of what the judge likes.  A judge may like poodles the most but till vote for a beagle as best dog in the show.  I think this recommendation has been made before.  Too much work?  Bah.  How many images are posted in a day?  whatever that number is--cut it in half as that would probably be about the percentage that could be eliminated immediately.  I have no idea how many images are posted in a 24 hour period.  I would need to know that number.

It is not a nuisance, it is always rewarding to talk politely :-), I honestly did not expect this image to be selected as IOTD, but what for some may be a fair IOTD for others may be unfair, what we have to do is respect the decision From the judges, I understand that spending hours and hours to acquire the necessary light to reveal a goal is very hard to achieve, the images obtained by Hubble are exempt from that effort, but like you, I believe that all subscribers have the right to that their work is taken into account, regardless of the source, after all, processing is as essential a part as making good captures, it is only necessary to see that with less expensive equipment and less integration time, good processing can equal or overcome the result of more expensive teams and with longer integration time. Sure, some categories could be created to judge separately, but after all this is a hobby, the good thing is that in Astrobin we can be part of the group of judges to contribute our point of view, I do not see any problem in that if a Image deserves it, from the point of view of the judges, it is chosen as the image of the day, after all what is chosen is the final image, not the acquisition, and there will always be an image that deserves it even more.

Although thinking about it, you could create a section to also reward the best acquisition, this would be a great idea, but surely someone would find it unfair too, I think it is best not to take it too seriously.

Best greetings.
Alberto

Jeff:
Great conversation, and well explained perspectives.From my personal perspective, I find Alberto's IOTD to be unique and inspiring.
An occasional Hubble or Liverpool telescope IOTD does not bother me in the slightest.
Especially if the image stands out from an artistic perspective, and is not just technically superb.

CS,
Jeff

Salvatore Iovene:
Just for everybody's information, I'm working on a generic contests module so we can have as many contests as we want, many running at the same time, and the voting is going to involve the whole community and be pretty awesome

Alessio Pariani:
As a submitter for the IOTD, I NEVER submit an image if the source is not Backyard or Private Property remote observatory: my intent is to consider just people with its own gear, set up and maintained by theirselves (even in groups, associations, couples, etc). I personally do not appreciate the idea of rewarding someone who pays for the service of maintenance, even on owned gear set up in a remote plant; at least not in the same category of someone other that spend hours and money in refining the setting up.

Even if I produce many images with pro data I agree with Carole that maybe they should in a separated category, by the way - in my opinion - your statement goes far beyond what is the actual main goal of astrobin which is to promote the best/original images, not discriminating anyone.

I hope you will review your thoughts.

Cheers

I hope you will review your thoughts.

Alberto's processing on this object has been truly amazing

Fritz:
Ahh ... an IOTD thread again ...My situation is as follows: I live in Vienna, a 2 million people city and I lve there in a flat, so there is no way to have a permanent setup. Each an every time I want to take a picture, I have to load my car and drive for one hour, to get to a reasonable dark place. There I have to set up my gear. After each session, after driving back, I have to unload my car.

Do I envy backyard astrophotographers? Sure, sometimes. Does that put me in any way in a situation to define, what "real" astrophotography is? No, not at all!

Do we have to build our own equipment to be IOTD worthy? Do we have to write our own post processing software? Do we have to setup our equipment each and every time to use it? I dont know and frankly: I don't care. There are many ways to do our hobby, I have choosen mine, other have choosen others. I can not see whats wrong with that.

For me, AP is more about cooperation than competion. For others Salvatores new competion module should give some relief.

Fritz:

Rodd Dryfoos:
The initial premise is HST and other professional data should not be judged against data collected by individuals.

Mr. Dryfoos, why do you think you are the one to define the rules?