Are hazy highlights often a rejection reason?

[RobynOfExeter]

I created a few shots using a mist filter to create a soft bright haze to my highlights.  The images were rejected.  I suspect that focus is the main cause for rejection, but if i reshoot with better focus, will they be rejected again for the haze?

Thanks

[Marianne-Deiters]

Editing too heavily with filters should generally be avoided. In your picture the highlights are blown out.

[RobynOfExeter]

It's a real physical filter on the lens, not digitally added in post.  Is this still considered a problem, or is there no distinction made by the assessors between analog vs digital haze?

Thanks