Calibrating contrast B/W Clock

I'm trying to calibrate the contrast but I'm not really happy with this... any suggestion?

Welcome fellow Calgary member!!To me, the shadow is too dark, but perhaps it is the dramatic look you were shooting for. Interesing shot!

Try making a duplicate layer and adjust contrast with curves on this layer.
On the duplicte layer you can erase the areas you dont want to add contrast to.
Then use the layers box to adjust the opacity of layer with the added contrast.

Wao!! Let me digest the 'layer' thing! I'm going to play with that!! Thanks!!

Hey Mao, the layers are the best thing in Photoshop.
I avoided them for a long time, thinking they were too difficult.
But they are really easy to use, and the results are far better.
Another great reason is that your original image is un-touched, so if all goes wrong you can just delete the layers you dont want.
Give it a try, read some posts on layers and you will be using them in no time..!!
Marty