Crab-eating Fox problem.

[Martin Brazil]

I was unsure whether to post this here or in the help section.
I went out shooting early Saturday morning arriving just before dawn, as I parked my car I saw two Crab-eating Foxes poking about a little further up the track. I managed some nice shots of them but as it was not light yet I had to use a flash which, as you can see, reflected in their eyes. Here is one of the shots.
My questions are, does the eye flare ruin the shot ? I really can't decide for myself as they are a species I have never seen before let alone photographed so I think this biases my perspective. If you feel it does, is there a PS method for getting rid of it ?
Thanks very much.

[Greg McCary]

I put it in Lightroom and used the red eye removal tool which removed some of it and then I used the spot removing tool which put the pupils back. Not perfect but.......

[jetrim]

Paint Shop Pro actually has an eyeball replacement utility, if I get some time later today, and you don't mind, I'll take a crack at it. Any day you can spot a fox while parking your car, and you actually have your camera with you, is a GREAT day!

[jetrim]

Gave it a shot...

[GB1]

I don't know if it's because I know where to look, but both edits' eyes look unusual to me. Greg's seems a bit hallow, where Jetrim's seem a bit sparkley (which should be easily corrected by dimming that bright area in each eyeball).

But yes, sad to say, I think the original's bright reflective eyeballs do diminish the shot somewhat. Maybe red-eye flash mode would work next time? Nice shot anyway, great luck.

G

Ps - do these things eat crabs?

[Martin Brazil]

Good morning guys, thanks very much for the effort you put in Greg and Jetrim. Both edits improved the image a lot but I think neither are really good enough to pass as the real thing. I guess the answer is to go back and hope they are there again and that they wait around until it gets light enough to shoot without a flash. I'll try it this weekend coming.
You are right of course GB, the glowing eyes do detract from the image. Crab eating foxes do eat crabs along with more or less anything else they can get hold of from insects, birds and rodents to fruit, very opportunistic animals. It was a great experience being close to these animals in their natural habitat even if I did not get any really good shots.
Thanks again guys

[Shebang]

I wouldn't expect to find your original picture on Animal Planet, but actually it is my favorite. The "creepiness" makes it interesting.

While both edits are good efforts and go above and beyond in an attempt to help out, to me, the eyes are not realistic looking ... enough. -- not that demon dog's eyes are realistic either...