As for his assesment of the photos he has not given a discription of the files that have proven anything was added to this photo.
It would seem that you missed
my comments on the side-by-side images where I explicitly described certain details in your "enhanced" image that are (1) not recoverable by global adjustments and (2) not present in the original image at all.
For instance, there are some very faint, low-contrast features in the original that roughly correspond to the "eyes"...but they don't become even barely visible until brightness has been increased to about +30 and at +100, they
still aren't nearly as prominent as in your "enhanced" version. Well before this point, the rest of the image washes out so that it no longer resembles your "enhanced" version. To get the "eyes" as you've presented them, one would have to apply adjustments
just to those features and none of the surrounding image.
Now about the Bigfoot...or Bigfeet, since you've recently claimed there are two. By the way, I'm using those terms solely for the purpose and convenience of discussion, just to be clear. Take a look at the "head" of what I'm assuming is the smaller Bigfoot in front. In your "enhanced" image, the left side of his "head" (viewer's left) is clearly distinguishable from the background. This detail is not present in the original image. This detail is not recoverable by global adjustments to brightness, contrast, levels, curves, or through the use of shadow detail recovery algorithms. Nor is this detail recoverable by broad localized adjustments of the same.
This detail can only be replicated by preferentially lightening and/or darkening specific small areas to create the edge seen in your "enhanced" version. This could have been accomplished by a number of methods such as an adjustment brush, adjustments of areas constrained by the selection tool, masking of an adjustment layer, etc. Creation of such a feature is completely arbitrary since there isn't enough source detail there to suggest its existence.
Now to correct a previous statement of yours. Photography is certainly a hobby of mine but it's not
just a hobby, as you seem to have characterized it. It's also a part-time profession. While my primary area of interest is outdoor scenic photography, I also shoot weddings and location portraiture. I was also hired to design the promotional materials and signage for a local business. My clients view and order prints via my website. I'd say that by conventional definitions, that makes me more than just a hobbyist.
And the primary program I extensively use for all this paid work? Photoshop...version CS2 to be exact. Hence, my qualification for membership in the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. And my experience is not limited to just Photoshop. I used Paint Shop Pro for many years, beginning in its shareware days. I was even a registered beta tester for one of its releases. So, by the time I made the switch to Photoshop, I was certainly no stranger to the principles of photographic enhancement, retouching, restoration, and composition. If you wish to challenge my qualifications, I would insist that you do so accurately.
Speaking of accuracy, if I am so wrong as you claim, you should have no trouble refuting my assessment on a rational basis, either quantitatively or qualitatively. Hand waving won't cut it. "Anyone can see..." won't cut it. "Because I say so" won't cut it. My assessment isn't just a case of "I say so". I've explained my methods and reasoning and subjected them to community review and critique. To refute my conclusions, you'll have to do the same.