I was trying to keep it simple...
Why would you do that? The people here don't need you trying to dumb things down for them. On nearly every topic you've raised, the regulars here have shown themselves far more informed and capable than you. If anything you should be trying to provide
more detail.
...by using "remix the contrast".
"Remixing the contrast" is neither a simplification nor a reference to any valid technique in image analysis. Methinks you're trying to use technical-sounding words to convince the reader you actually know something about this. Your history here has shown a willingness to bluff about such things.
But if you want to get techinical...
It's not a matter of want. Image analysis is by nature a technical subject -- a highly mathematical one, as well as a careful one if it is for forensic purposes. Your advice, as it stands, boils down to randomly applying software processes to an image. That's not how it works.
how about contrast and brightness...
Which of the several available algorithms for "contrast" and "brightness"? Linear transformations? Higher-order transformations? If the latter, are you recomputing the gamma? You haven't told us what you're looking for and how such a transformation would help determine it.
...or if you want to get real professional...
Do you have any professional qualifications in image analysis or photographic interpretation? I highly doubt you do, so maybe talking down to others isn't a good strategy here.
"adjusting the curves"
Okay, this is getting closer to a useful technique. Adjusting response curves for what portion of the histogram? What degree of adjustment? What order of adjustment? What would you do to determine that?
or "dodging and burning".
Dodging and burning are artistic techniques. They have no place in image analysis.
