Actually, I like the first version better - the light seemed natural. I don't get that feeling with this version - with contrast sometimes I think less is better.
rmann - Thank you. The first one seemed fairly heavy constrast to me - though in a more narrow range, so darkening seemed like it would make that rather odd-looking. There are probably other remedies I'm not thinking of. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. I'll play w/ it some more, starting from the scan.