Puppy love... :)

[kkraczek]

That's a really nice picture and don't think that the original is too dark, I just think you do something wrong when you try to publish it for the web, which makes it darker.

If you use Photoshop, make sure that under 'edit/color settings' is selected 'Web Graphics Default". Then save the image by using file "Save to web". Select the sub menu in the Save for Web preview (see attachment) and select "Use Document Color" profile.

You can also try to turn color managment off and by selecting "Uncompensated Color"

Also make sure that your white/black points are correctly set; http://pages.prodigy.net/ecmorris/tips/monitor.htm

Wow, that is seriously helpful information... thanks! I went ahead and changed my color settings, and will definitely experiment with it. Thanks again for being such a big help!

[PuckJunkey]

"KK": Sorry for the delayed response, been a busy week. I think your second attempt actually blows out the highlights in the dogs fur a bit. Not sure which tool you used, but in Photoshop, don't ever use Contrast and Brightness. It is one of the easiest ways there is to ruin an image.

Here's an attempt that I did using the expanded Shadow/Highlight tool... would be a bit better if I had the original shot from the camera but this will due. I tried to enhance the shadow detail a bit without introducing a lot of noise into her hair / adding a color cast to the dog's fur. Only partially succeeded, but you get the idea.

[Wings]

You're welcome Kristin.

Other thing I wanted to mention... the fur of the dog is too blue. There will always be some blue cast (sky), but in this example it's a bit too much.

Go in Photoshop to Edit/Adjustments/Hue-Saturation and edit the "Cyans".
Select the 'blues' with with the 'eye dropper' and 'eye dropper +' tool and adjust saturation.

Normally I would do this on a separate layer and mask out the dog only, but you get an idea where to look to tackle a problem like this.

Depending on your preference, you might prefer to leave some blue cast to make the image look more natural, it's all up to you

[kkraczek]

Thanks again Puck and Wings... you two should start a Photoshop class! I will be taking PS at the community college this fall... now I'll feel like I have a leg up on it before I even get there!

You guys rock!