Puffin Retouch

[Stuart Hill]

Recently got back from spending a night with 120,000 pairs of shearwaters and 1,000's of puffins (best night of my life, unless my wife reads this!).

Slowly working my way through the images.

On this image, should I retouch the damaged feathers on the face?

All critiques and help much appreciated.

kind regards.
Stu.

D300 + sigma 500mm 4.5
iso 640
1/320 @ F6.3
Worked on the eye to brighten a little.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Stuart. Killer OSS and bg !!

Sharp and well exposed ..with meal sure makes a difference. Would work on the beak, can go over with dodge/burn brush an darken the black and orange. Use at 10to15 setting so changes are subtle.

Regarding the feathers would fix but it's all kpersonal taste

...posting from iPad :)

[Dave Mills]

Hi Stuart,Great study of the bird and the fish:) Good comments by Al with the D&B giving it a bit more depth.
The face repair is your call but would be a plus if done convincingly. Well done!

[Rachel Hollander]

Wow, great shot. Agree with above comments regarding comp, BG and your choice whether to fix. Love the detail of the water drops on the puffin.

TFS,
Rachel

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Great capture and the meal makes it for me. Techs covered. IMO I would fix the feathers.
Congrats

[Lance Peters]

Love the fish - Id fix the feathers and add a little contrast to the face/beak area.
Nice detail in the eye and the water drops add to the story.
Good One!!

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent pose and killer BG , fish in beak adding so much , If mine I will not do repair job :), Mighty fine image
TFS

[Harshad Barve]

Missed in above comments , Excellent advise above :)

[Troy Lim]

One great portrait shot.
The stare is funny, almost look like he got caught stealing too many at once.
Perhaps a bit more sharpening on the eye?

[sandy richards]

Beautiful portrait!
Agree about improving beak color, as this is such a nice element with these birds.
I'd personally repair the feathers - they are so close to the eye that they detract, for me.

Sandy

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Another vote for face repair. Lovely image.

[Stuart Hill]

Thanks for the advice/comments. Will have a go at the head/beak area. Seems most votes are for retouch so will the work the damaged feathers I think.

Thanks again.
Stu.

[Harold Davis]

you are killing me with this guy!! so cool!! and i love the puffins. cant wait to get a shot at them. agree with the rest of the gang. i'd lighten the eye some too...i think?