How to create photos like "the masters", and is PhotoLab a useful tool?

Gosh, I have two buttons on the D750 that I don’t use, and both are programmable. Doing as you suggested ought to be easy, but I’m not sure I can “toggle” between two settings. If I use one button to set center-weighted, and the other to set spot, it should be simple.

Strange, I downloaded your .dop file and replaced my file with yours. If you made a VC, I don’t seem to be able to select it, and I don’t see any modifications to the tone curve?? I also don’t see your control line. I’m feeling lost again.

Gee, I closed Filmpack and PL5, restarted PL5, and my additional contrast settings were missing. I then restarted Filmpack and got the + sign to add them to PL5. Does Filmpack need to be running, in order to have access to those settings.

I went through my images of the mountains, and found another one that I liked, but felt the one I selected was “better”. I just edited my second choice image, and will post it here. I want the “dead branch” at the lower right to add something to balance the photo. Maybe you will prefer this image? I did bring out details that I did not see with my eyes, but the camera saw them. Perhaps I went too far though…
MM2_0291 | 2022-04-15.nef.dop (14.6 KB)
MM2_0291 | 2022-04-15.nef (28.5 MB)