Here are some steps I’ve found that work to get the best from less-than-perfect photos.

1. Duplicate the layer & set top layer to overlay mode. Lower the opacity to around 5 – 20%
2. Unsharp Mask filter on the lower layer; ctrl+a, ctrl+shift+c, then ctrl+v to merge and paste in new layer
3. In Adjustments, select Threshold. Drag the slider to the left, hold shift while selecting the center of the largest area of solid white; do the reverse for black. Ok, then ctrl+z.
4. In Adjustments, Levels, you will see the points selected previously. Use the white dropper to select the white point and the black dropper to select the black point. If sliders still don’t touch the sides of the histogram, then move them manually.

Grayscale: change mode to Lab, select lightness layer in channels, go back to layers palette, then convert to grayscale

Monthly maintenance can help keep computers running fast and free of errors. Here are some steps that I follow for my multiple computers:

MAC
1. Software Update: under the apple menu
2. Verify/repair disc: use disk utility in Applications > Utilities
3. Empty trash
4. MacJanitor: a free download
5. Disc Warrior or Techtool Deluxe
6. Delete browser artifacts & favicons: reset Safari and any other browsers
7. Shock RAM: restart computer holding CMD+Option+R+P
8. Check Activity Monitor for available disc space in Applications > Utilities

PC
1. AdAware: a free download to remove spyware
2. Delete cookies: found under user folders
3. RegCleaner: a free download to clean registry
4. AntiVirus: Norton is a good one that also removes spyware
5. Delete unnecessary temp files: run search for *tmp, ctrl+A, delete
6. Scan for errors: right click on hard drive to access
7. Disc Clean-up: right click on hard drive to access
8. Defragment: right click on hard drive to access
9. Windows Update