FAQ
Are you an actual screener at one of the big plane spotting websites?
Nope, I'm as green as it gets when it comes to plane spotting. I had my
first five pictures accepted rejected in March of 2024.
So you really made a website to complain about it?
I disagree with the opinion that they don't have double standards. There are images in the database that have the flaws that other candidate images are being rejected for.
Oh, I also I got bored, since I have to wait 2 weeks before I can wait another 2 weeks to have more pictures rejected.
The analyzer seems to reject every photo I upload!
I can't say it better than the sage advice posted at one of the websites:
You will get many rejections before you get an accepted photo. Don't take it personally. Take the rejection reasons, and LEARN FROM THEM!
This isn't an algorithm, or AI at all
Yes it is. It's an algorithm. Is it a good simulation of photo screening at these websites? ...well, I'd argue yes.
The analyzer isn't working
SERIOUS
This interactivity of the site is built in Vue.js which requires Javascript to be enabled in the browser. Your image is only loaded locally in your browser, it won't be accessible by anyone else. It doesn't even have to be a picture of an airplane to be analyzed, (go for it, try a cat picture) fancy that!
See the Privacy page for details on what data is collected about your browsing session (tl dr; it's analytics and Adsense stuff)
What do the rejection messages mean?
No one knows what it means, but it's provocative...it GETS THE PEOPLE GOING.
But really what do they mean?
SEMI-SERIOUS
These are usually discussed on the upload guidelines of the respective websites. Articles about these rejections coming at some point. Here is my counting list of rejection reasons I've had for my pictures:
| Rejection Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| "CMOS Dust" | There is dirt on the sensor. Cleaning your lens will not help, good article about the impact of damage to the front element of a lens here. |
| "Soft" | Out of focus or there's atmospheric effects affecting the clarity of the image. |
| "Vignette not allowed" | actually an article for this one! yahoo! |
| "Too much or too little contrast" | No idea, seriously. There's quite the contentious debate in the forums. Senior screeners will say it's obvious. *shrug* USE THE HISTOGRAM...(??) |
| "Obstructed" | Something is blocking the plane, taxiway sign, cone, equipment, etc. |
| "Too dark" | Underexposed, opposite of overexposed. See post here |
| ...Etc | ...to be continued |
I'm a senior screener at [website], I assure you the screening process is just and fair.
Sure it is...
What's your handle on [website]?
Nice try, senior screening person. Not looking to get banned here.
I want to get better at photography
SERIOUS
Great! I'm of the belief that planespotting will make you better at planespotting, but the technical aspects of what these sites want is uninspiring. Photos that are accepted to these sites are taken under the least challenging conditions, post coming soon.
To paraphrase a Reddit user, "[website] is where you find the largest collection of airplane pictures that look exactly the same".