Background issues

[Kristin Palmer]

My vision for this photo is that I would have an almost blacked out background, with a single light coming onto mum. I realise my mistake was not hanging a black background behind and I'm left with a pretty amateur looking image. It's a shame because I have a series of these images with beautiful poses and expressions, so I'm looking for help.

I've tried overlaying a gradient, but I'm not sure its really convincing. I'd appreciate your opinion.

I've attached the photo that is simply the RAW converted to B&W, and one where I've tried the gradient (I know the masking is rough, obviously I'd refine it) 

Thank you 

[Damien Symonds]

Hi Kristin, can you link me to any photos that inspired you for this?

[Kristin Palmer]

Similar to the top image in this post. http://www.jeremyigo.com/blog/tag/maternity-photography/

I'm worried though that my execution was too poor to achieve this look. 

[Damien Symonds]

No, I think you can achieve something nice. I'd make the background a radial gradient - pure black at the outside, and very very dark grey in the middle.  So that the tonal shift is very subtle.

[Kristin Palmer]

I've done the masking with a light soft brush - when I tried to do a mask with hard edges she was looking a bit cut out. Is this what you were envisaging when you suggested the radial? 

[Kristin Palmer]

Ugh that looks terrible. Hold tight I'll keep working  

[Kristin Palmer]

Okay did a proper job of the masking. I think it looks good. Thoughts? 

[Damien Symonds]

Good.  Now go ahead and do your Levels work.  I suggest leaving the gradient layer on top, and doing all the Levels layers just underneath it.