It does like contrast! Hm, the score change is sufficiently low to be within the error bars I'd say.
I agree that the upped clarity is less beautiful, but it adds a nice touch of sharpness which Keegan likes a lot as well!
The first one looks too blurry to me and the second too sharp; did you try an intermediate one?
You can do a lot worse with contrast/clarity than that.
No face detection? It noticed there was a baby in my picture and commented on the expression:
https://keegan.regaind.io/p/XCBCz-9_TrC31c4Opa1mdQ
I'm sure there are many different definitions of face detection. Care to elaborate on what kind of face detection it doesn't have?