When we use computers we usually see a white background, for example when we use our word processing or spreadsheet programs. Therefore, monitor brightness is adjusted so that the white background is not too bright and our eyes are comfortable.

At that brightness level the dark tones of a photograph can easily be black, or "blocked up," and detail in shadow areas can be lost.

For viewing photographs properly, a brighter monitor setting is preferred. This is the reason so many photography websites have dark backgrounds; at proper brightness levels, a white background is too bright for some people.

adjusting the brightness

Turn up the brightness of your monitor until you can see the crescent moon in the box to the right. Then turn down the brightness until the moon is barely visible.

Your monitor brightness is now adjusted for viewing this and other photography websites.

An alternative method is to use the step wedge:

The step wedge allows finer adjustment of brightness and contrast. It shows 17 tones of grey from black to white. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your monitor until all the tones look "evenly spaced". The step on the far left is black like the background.