I managed to get something similar: 1-- first I did brightness/contrast like you described: -45/+27 2-- then I chose Edit/Fade Brightness/Contrast to adjust the amount slider a bit 3-- then I did a Filter/Sharpen.../Smart Sharpen at 100%/4pixels. You can really do a lot with this Smart Sharpen tool in advanced mode in the highlights and shadows Hope you can do something with this...

We do not see things as they are. ǝɹɐ ǝʍ sɐ sƃuıɥʇ ǝǝs ǝʍ