new, help with lighting/editing

[jcotton]

I am a natural light photographer who purchased some lighting (photoflex 3 light first studio kit) to get me through the long gray KY winters. I just set it up yesterday and took this shot of my family solely to see what the lighting looks like. 2 umbrellas were to camera left and 1 to camera right. No flash was used, shot with my 50mm 1.8. iso 200, f/2.5, 1/100s. I have only resized the picture. Any suggestions on how to edit to improve picture and lighting? I have 2 reflectors, and no more $ in the budget for a month or so........ thanks!!! Oh, and I use photoshop 7.0

[private]

When I look at your photo - the first thing I see if the busy background. It takes away from the tender moment that is being shared - IMO. Maybe if you toned down the background a bit (desaturate the color) my eyes won't keep bouncing back to the background...

[lputman]

I think lighting is such a compound subject...were you following a specific lighting technique and using a meter to get the proper exposures?

Here's a link, Portrait Photography Lighting 101, that is lighting for portraits. I don't know your level of experience with studio lighting so if this something you already know, then excuse me.

[jcotton]

Great tip, thanks. I have a solid white and solid black backdrop, I'll start practicing with those.

lputnam-thanks for the link, and I know nothing about studio lighting! Also, for now no meter.