The Top 10 Best Astrophotographers in Australia

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

If that was what you were trying to achieve Mike a heading along the lines of:-

"A Showcase of 'some' of Australia's Best Astrophotographers and their Images"

might have achieved the same goals without creating controversy.
............

List all the good ones, put them in together and not rank them in any order, would have been the way to go IMO.

Oh for heavens sake. PC homogenised rubbish.

Mike is perfectly entitled to create a 10-15-20 best list of whatever he likes.

If you don't like his criteria, ignore it, make you own list or whatever.

It seems to me this PC has gone way too far. Cream is not allowed to rise to the top. We must not offend or create controversy....be told what to think.....shades or Orwell or what?

I like to see what the guys at the cutting edge are up to... its fun to see the the lead to change...and I suspect many others would prefer this to plain vanilla.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Oh for heavens sake. PC homogenised rubbish.

Mike is perfectly entitled to create a 10-15-20 best list of whatever he likes.

If you don't like his criteria, ignore it, make you own list or whatever.

I couldn't agree more. I can't believe the crap Mike is getting for this!

[troypiggo (Troy)]

It's all about the title. "The Top 10 Best Astrophotographers in Australia" at first glance gives the reader the impression that they are going to be looking at some official list of the top 10 astrophotographers in Australia. I know, I know. I actually read the blog/article and understood that it was actually Mike's list based on certain criteria, and he clearly explains all that in the article. No question.

But if the title of the article was simply changed to "My Top 10 Best Astrophotographers in Australia" the whole debate is over. There can be no questioning his list, because who can argue who his top ten are? And as the article clarifies, this is really what the list is.

I'm actually loving this thread. Being new to this whole astronomy/astrophography thing, I have heard of some of those names mentioned both in Mike's list and the others added here later. But many I have not heard of, so have been googling and checking out galleries etc. Awesome all around.

If nothing else, it's been a great showcase which I guess is what the original intention was anyway.

So to Mike, for posting the original article, showcasing some great astrophotogs, copping a whole lot of flak for doing so, and keeping this thread open despite it all, I say "thankyou".

To those who said "what about so and so, he should have been on the list", I also say "thankyou" for highlighting some other great astrophotogs and making me aware of them.

And to those who said "I should be on the list, my images are better than so and so" I also say "thankyou" for giving me a benchmark to aspire to. I'll be sure to let you know if/when I think my images meet that benchmark.

[marki]

Originally Posted by iceman

It's certainly more difficult to find the great photography if you don't see it posted anywhere. Many great astrophotographers in Australia keep their work to themselves and simply print it out for their wall at home.
However in my list, I certainly didn't restrict myself by looking simply at members of IceInSpace. Steve Crouch, for example, is not a member of IceInSpace and is easily one of Australia's top astrophotographers.
It just so happens that the majority of who I consider top astrophotographers are or have been active members of IceInSpace. That doesn't mean my list was biased. IceInSpace has a very large reach in Australia so it's expected.

Mike I did not expect a seriously considered answer to my post but thanks anyway. I was simply having a go at those who seemed miffed because their favourites were not on the list even though they kept their pictures hidden from public view. My suggested title was very much toungue in cheek. Astrophotography is art and appraising art is always subjective (beuty is in the eye of the beholder) which is why I tell my students not to do it as a final year subject as they just don't know what mark they will end up with. Chemistry and physics are much better . Perhaps we should all put on little red beret's and talk a load of BS whilst sipping on champagne, not sure. The bottom line is that you clearly stated that this was your list and people should respect that. Mine would be a little different so what.

Peter I certainly agree with you, PC gone mad .

Mark

[Gallifreyboy]

I have watched this thread with interest. Seeing there are over 60 posts and approaching 2000 views I think it needs a resolution.

I propose a faceoff between Iceman and selected others in the top 10 versus the aggrieved others...... WWF style with tags. (I suspect Iceman will choose Strongman just quietly) 1 weapon of choice from their armoury for their signature moves....(if only dobs were better for astrophotography)

3 rounds of noncontroversial physical combat with the winner entitled to claim title of 10 best wrestling astrophotographers.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Mike is perfectly entitled to create a 10-15-20 best list of whatever he likes.

That goes without saying. He can post what he likes on his website.

Referring back for the second time to Mike's stated goals of the excercise:-

Originally Posted by iceman
The article was meant to highlight the great photography we do in Australia (many people on overseas forums have seen some of those names for the first time and were very impressed with their work), profile some of the people doing it, and to generate some interesting discussions.

Having regard to Mike's stated goals, I think his effort in putting such a list together would have gained a wider spread of acceptance and endorsement from the entire astronomy community, had he done it a little differently to how he chose to do it.

Originally Posted by rogerg

I can't believe the crap Mike is getting for this!

Sir Donald Bradman was repeatedly asked after he retired, "who are the best cricketers of all time". He never once included himself. Sir Garfield Sobers was repeatedly asked the same question. He never once mentioned himself. Those two people "could" have rightfully posted themselves right at the absolute very top of the tree. In the best interests of humility and prudence, they never ever did. People rarely if ever threw rocks at them. By including himself in a subjective arguable decision, Mike has asked for people to throw rocks IMO. For someone I rate as a great bloke and highly intelligent, I think he could have done this smarter. A great place to start would have been to exclude himself with a rider noting that he had excluded himself on the grounds of humility and prudence, as he was sole judge, jury and executioner.

Cheers,
John B

[matt]

Originally Posted by Gallifreyboy

I have watched this thread with interest. Seeing there are over 60 posts and approaching 2000 views I think it needs a resolution.

I propose a faceoff between Iceman and selected others in the top 10 versus the aggrieved others...... WWF style with tags. (I suspect Iceman will choose Strongman just quietly) 1 weapon of choice from their armoury for their signature moves....(if only dobs were better for astrophotography)

3 rounds of noncontroversial physical combat with the winner entitled to claim title of 10 best wrestling astrophotographers.

Thanks for the levity injection.

And we wonder why we're viewed as being a little 'odd' by the broader non-astro community.

A lot of this has moved into the realm of the embarrassing. People tripping over themselves to correct what doesn't require correcting, since it's one man's subjective list. People tripping over themselves to qualify that which does not need qualifying...since it was already qualified. Semantic debate over Titles or Headings...

There are more important things to focus on....like it's the weekend....the sky is clear here in Brisbane...the Anzac spirit and the fact we're all alive and things could be a whole lot worse

[davidpretorius]

Originally Posted by matt

....the sky is clear here in Brisbane...

WHAT???

bloody hell, get that telescope out!

I had honestly thought it was going to rain in brisbane and having seeing at 2/10 for the rest of our natural lives


My List will be .... "Top ten embarassing and controversial astronomy related forums threads"

[davidpretorius]

..............and Bert Newton will count em down!

[Lester]

Welcome back to the Tassie Ice Breaker.

I vote you number 1 for the new leader of the Taliban.

ps. I am not meaning to spam this thread, but it needed something light hearted.

[avandonk]

Interesting posts on the interesting list.

Veeery interrrresting? But stupid!

We may as well argue that I looked more times than you, therefore I am a better observer

I started looking before most of you were born and to the astronomers before me I am a newcomer. It is a hobby folks!
It is meant to be enjoyable and educational and sharing all that sort of stuff. Not bickering who has the biggest toy or eyeball.

Yes I am a budding pop star that wants to have a number one hit! I won't get it by arguing with the current pop charts. I have to go out and produce the goods.

If anything Mikes List has stirred a bit of interest. At least he had the nerve to give his opinion. Just as the rest of you or I could give ours.


Bert