Quote Originally Posted by jetrim
First image doesn't look too bright on either of my monitors, but if you want only the item darker, you can do it in two ways using the tools in the basic adjustment section of light room's develop module. You can adjust the Black Point slider, or the Contrast slider. Contrast adjustment will make the background whiter, black point won't. Neither of these adjustments will introduce the banding seen in your second image.
I think it might be my monitor that's causing the problem. I just looked at it with my phone and the first picture looks good like you said. I have a laptop, and it has some age on it, so I'm thinking that's what it is. What causes the banding? Is a setting not quite right on my camera? Just curious.

And thanks for the Lightbox advice, I'll definitely use it.