So from that point, how do you make the scene brighter and crisper (or do you)? When looking closely, I can see the shadows and detail in the picture on the right, but to a quick glance, the left looks better, due to the contrasty nature, I presume.
When you talk about using Curves, I assume that is a control available in most video editing programs? I am using PFClean, but have no idea where it might be in that; I only know where it is in Photoshop...