PHOTO: Is there something wrong with my monitor?

I just got this image, and a few others like it, rejected for the following reason:


This file appears overexposed, and we did not feel a 'high key' effect was successfully achieved.


The problem is, it looks fine on my calibrated monitor (which I do calibrate regularly).  So, I'm curious how it looks to everyone else (hopefully who have their monitors calibrate as well).  I am wondering if I just need to upgrade my monitor.  Hmm.


BTW, it would be wonderful to know what the inspectors use as monitors and calibration tools, too!


(Click here or on the image to view the 100% version)

I think it's the large patch of blown highlights in the "snow" to the left and right of the foreground ball. I didn't check in PS but I bet if you did you'd find a huge bunch of clipped areas in the highlights. The "snow" in the foreground looks a bit gray-ish which doesn't help.


I did a white series last fall and it was very hard to light it to get even whites. I found that if I made sure the highlights were OK and then lightened any gray-ish areas in post, it worked best.

Thanks Jo Ann.  I guess I should pay more attention to my histograms!   A better monitor probably wouldn't hurt, too.


I'm going to reshoot today and move some of the "snow" off of the back part of my table, where the light under the shooting table shines through it.  I think that is causing some blown-out looks as well.