Misha - Scanned using Minolta Dimage Scan Speed film scanner. Brought raw scan into Photoshop for all work. Black and white points were set. Histogram of raw scan data shows ok distribution in highlights and shadows. Not too much in mids, but not missing data there either (probably to be expected because of the faintness of the image). Didn't have to pull highs and lows in too much (went manually as I don't often agree with where the auto settings move things). Slight adjustment of gamma slider under levels to bring a bit more of the mids out as well as a some slight movement in midtones under curves. Maybe I misunderstand the proper setting of the black/white points. What do you look for? I would say that much of the "noise" in this image is not due to CCD scanner noise. This was a shot taken at night from around 15-20 feet away using Ilfrod Delta 3200 pushed to EI 6400 with the only light falling on her being the flames she has at the ends of her claws. That in itself is going to put a fair amount of grain/noise into my image. Multiple scan passes was to pull more out of face and clothing. -=>Donald