Finally got a Good Christmas Portrait of my Daughters

[Marko]

Hey AT...not sure I've asked this before but are you working with a calibrated monitor?
Uncalibrated monitors are almost always way too bright which is why the image didn't look dark on your computer...the print shows u the reality.
On my computer it's seriously dark - with almost zero detail in the blacks.
Also - do you know how to use the histogram function?

[theantiquetiger]

Hey AT...not sure I've asked this before but are you working with a calibrated monitor?
Uncalibrated monitors are almost always way too bright which is why the image didn't look dark on your computer...the print shows u the reality.

I just recently purchased a 23" 1080p HD All in One Computer

I do need to touch up on my histogram function

[Marko]

The histogram reveals A LOT. it will pretty much tell you when the exposure is good and when it's off. Did a podcast on it if you want to take a listen. Histograms in digital photography – Photography podcast #41 | Photography.ca
The new computer doesn't answer the calibration question at all though, I will assume the answer is no.
Brand new monitors are still generally, very lousy for photography when they are uncalibrated. They are almost always too bright - which makes them fab for gaming and lousy for photography.
If you can afford it (less than 200.) quite a few members on this board use it.
Hope that may help.

[theantiquetiger]

Susan,

Thanks for the edit, it looks great. I guess what I look at is her red sweater. Of their clothing, it's the only thing with texture. The dresses are black velvet, so not much going to show up. I now realize the rocking chair is yellow in my original and white in the edit. The only two things that are white in the entire pic are the chair and tops of the stockings.

[theantiquetiger]

I want to thank Vyeko for this post edit, it came out amazing!!!

[Mad Aussie]

I want to thank Vyeko for this post edit, it came out amazing!!!

I think you can see now how bad the original actually was. It is far from a good shot. The composition setup is nice though and the girls poses are great, good smiles etc.
Exposure wise though I've seen much better from you.

I think you should stop spending money on things like umbrella's and get a decent monitor and calibrator. Using more equipment badly isn't going to help you. Getting the basics right first is the key.