Steemit does downgrade the image quality.

Not hating on your photography skills. You’re clearly good at macro work.

It’s just very odd to see someone’s automated Instagram feed posts on trending. If the title was changed and maybe more information about how you captured the images along with some info about the subjects photographed the. this would certainly belong on trending.

The issue with purchased votes is that you’re putting yourself in front of many judges. Most people will only comment praise in the hope of receiving an upvote. Others will post an honest comment. I do the latter.