Gamma correction for dummies

[gustavljunggren]

Soooo. i think i´ve might have read about every tutorial out there regarding gamma correction and LWF using 3ds max and vray but i cant seem to get it to work. My renders keep turning out really dark. One way that seems to work is the(as far as ive heard the wrong) way of double applying gamma (might even be triple applygin), IE setting preferences gamma to 2,2 and bitmap in/out to 2,2- applying 2,2 with color mapping (Dont affect colors unticked) aaaaand rendering with srgb ticked. That way it looks right (with a slight S-curve added for contrast)but this surely cant be "correct"?

 

What am i doing wrong??? apart from the obvious of course

(First post btw so hello everyone)