Winter blues

I can relate to this image - it seems to be really difficult to get a good shot during the winter in this kind of light. You caught a nice separation of your subject from the background, not always easy to do with trees.

However, the image is very underexposed. Compositionally speaking, it's a bit blah because of the centered tree trunks. Since the snow emphasizes the tree branches, make sure you look for trees with interesting/complex branches - your garden variety oak (assuming that's what this one is) doesn't usually have interesting branch structures.

The bottom left edge grabs my eye - perhaps a small crop to eliminate the slant would help things. It looks like your white balance is a little blue - while accurate, it sometimes helps to warm it up a bit. Overall, you're fighting a losing battle against the light. Try again when the clouds break up a bit or the sun comes out to make a few interesting shadows.

Thanks very much for your response/input. I see what you mean and it makes a lot of sense.

here's one of the same tree

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56475569@N07/5​392790463/

took this other one. I think my monitor might be a bit too bright because they do seem a bit underexposed

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56475569@N07/5​393383372/

^^Better, but it would be better still if there were some light hitting the tree, preferably 'good' light from a low sun.

Also, think about composition next time. What is it about this tree that so interests you? Try to package whatever it is for the viewer. Simply parking the tree in the middle of your frame produces what is often called a "record shot," that is, it records a subject in a scientific manner, not an artistic or expressive one. It also chops your frame into two halves, making it less cohesive as an image. There are exceptions to all guidelines like this one, but when they work, it's for a good reason, and they always end up being the exceptions that 'prove' the rules.

^^Thank you, great points and taking notes.....

1. too dark.
2. a little better
3. better overall.

Your snow is too dark. It would help to have sunlight, but you also need to over exposure your photo. The camera will read snow as gray, not white. You need to adjust your exposure compensation.

Here are two of my winter photos to show you what I mean.
Winter Landscape 1
Winter Landscape 2

Crystal, thanks for your input. I forgot to mention before that I had a circular polarizing filter which I'm sure contributed to the overall darkness of the shots. Btw, thanks for the links and nice shots. I find trees to be interesting and cool to photograph.

They look underexposed to me to, I like the 3rd most.

I think this looks better. Lmk
thanks

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56475569@N07/5​397433168/

That deffintely looks way better, blue skies and snow whites are always a really pleasing combination.

Thank you, I def agree. I'm using a mac and my display is pretty bright...think I need to adjust it.
Here's the other one

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56475569@N07/5​397013811/