It is quite possible that you have an image that lacks contrast. You can increase the contrast with a desaturated Layer and a Curves Adjustment Layer in Photoshop. This will work with most images and is quite easy to do. It only requires a few steps.
The high contrast image. The original is just below.
I will be using this free stock image. You will find it here
It belongs to NerySoul
Step 1 : Press CTRL+J to duplicate the Background Layer to Layer 1. Press CTRL+SHIFT+U to desaturate Layer 1.
Step 2 : Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light.
Step 3 : Click New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.
Step 4 : Click on Curves from the pop up.
Step 5 : The Curves dialogue box opens. Note the diagonal in the middle. The top part represent highlights and the bottom shadows.
Step 6 : Click two points on the diagonal at the bottom and top. Drag the top point up slightly and the bottom one down slightly so that a gentle S curve is formed.
Step 7 : Change the Blend Mode of Curves 1 to Multiply and drop the Opacity to between 70 to 85% and you are done.
The finished image.
Other photoshop tutorial are here
