ty will keep all the suggestions in mind i did consider hazing the backdrop but figured it would ruin the back drop itself
i will get better

First off, I love the character. Good pose, nice set up for a portrait style...nice work. But I especially like the complement of contrast styles. An Anime type elf set in classic olde timey garb, set against a lake background...not the typical "imp in the woods" pic usually seen for this type of character.
I agree with DW, play with some light and shadows...you'd be surprised how your image can pop.
Also, since this was a "dream," why not soften the background image? Add a little dream-like atmosphere. Haze, blur, vignette... all simple filters in Photoshop, and most other programs of the like, making post work quick. Experiment. Have fun.
And keep it up. Keep posting. Use the HFC gallery for works in progress or help with questions if you can. There are some awesome artists on this site who just LOVE to help, and share their knowledge. There are others who just love to talk, too...so I'll shut up now.

I am liking this. A suggestion or 2? Parasols are usually matched in color to the Victorian dresses. This contrast/ clash of color makes eyes jump too much between the character and Parasol,making it hard to focus on the overall image.

2. Don't be afraid of using the features on Spot Lights,Distance Lights,Point Lights, even Linear Point lights.

NOTE: be ready for a heavy render times if you use a lot of lights and shadows, as the render has to calculate for each one :)
Start out simple. add a distant light. It is a simple light to use that lights the entire scene from 1 direction. It has Limited movement, you can even add shadowing with it, change the color and intensity

Here is a little idea of how the lights work with an example. maybe this will help you brave the dark a little :) I do not know how much you know about using light and shadows, but here is a few tricks I picked up that may help.

Spotlight: is just what it says it is. all the above with the addition of Spread Angle to adjust how large the spot light will be.

Point Light: Best example that comes to mind. Think of a spell caster with a concentrated ball of energy in her hand. That Ball of light could be created in an image using the Point Light.

Linear Point Light: Best example. Look at a street lamp at night with the halo of light and the illuminated area around it. that halo and illumination is the Linear Point Light.

Each light will have basic shadow controls as well.

Shadow type: Deep Shadow map is best for creating the basic shadow

Shadow Softness: Determines the hardness of the shadow. The lower the number, the harder, more opaque the shadow. The higher the number the more transparent the shadow.

Shadow Bias: will off set the shadow from a prop, in short it gives the illusion that the prop is above or levitating above the ground.