OK, it sounds alot like what I am writing up. Can you PM me with exactly what you do, then I can see how close it is to what I am writing. If ok with you and can use some of your steps I will include in write-up and credit you also.

no problem....give me a few hours. The kids are getting ready for bathtime!! YEAH!!!

had to try this one in B/W
cropped and sharpened in CS3, the rest in LR

Susan, you bit me to it, LOL this B+W is my favorite.

Thank you Don Diego

Suzi, great black&white!

What sharpening technique or techniques are you using in CS3? Just curious as to why LR sharpening doesn't meet your needs....

Chuck, I duplicate the layer, do a high pass somewhere between 3-5 blend soft light and lower the opacity if needed. Thank you, about the B/W. Can't wait till you get time to do some!!!

Just for you Suzi, I came back to #1. Kabam.

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Well, now don't be mad at me for this one. I know I used three different presets but I can't remember which one the first one was. I think is was Antique 1 from Gavin Seim's fantasy sampler and the second one was rmyers_faded_washed, and the third is COL paint.

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Found the history option, it was hidden, I did Antique, rmyers_faded_wash, the center stage and COL paint.

Looks great, Kim. Did you use my method for adding extra presets or something different. If different do tell how you did it, please