Hi sauk99,

Looking at your image, there are a couple of things I notice right off. First, based upon your shadow, the light source is behind the table, so the side facing the viewer is in shade-- that's why it's so dark. Try moving your lightsource direction so that it's coming from the camera side.

Note, if your main light (sun) is set to 'point at camera' then dragging it around the camera is the best way to change it's direction. If not, then rotating it should do.

You also may try using one of the preset Global Illumination (GI) atmospheres. I like "Copenhagen GI" (used in the above pic) in the Realistic Sunset category. If you choose it, you'll need to move the sun around so your object isn't in shadow.

Good luck!
-Chipp