Before you see them, remember they weren't taken with a dSLR, just my Canon A570 IS.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22324144@N06/sets/72157603624355658/

I wish they weren't so bland, but it the sun was setting.

I like the composition of the first but its underexposed...thus the gray snow.

I think the trees reflection would make a better point of interest in the second but would require a whole different composition.

I like the composition of the first but its underexposed...thus the gray snow.

I think the trees reflection would make a better point of interest in the second but would require a whole different composition.

Cool, that's actually my drain with the ice pouring out, so I'll re-shoot it tomorrow to expose it properly.

As for the 2nd one, As I was walking down to the creek I saw the trees-on-sunset reflection, but I couldn't get close enough (Damn you 4X zoom :( )

Cool, that's actually my drain with the ice pouring out, so I'll re-shoot it tomorrow to expose it properly.



Or, if you have Photoshop and the like, just adjust it with levels.

Ok, I just adjusted the brightness in PS, it's now the 3rd photo in the set.

Ok, I just adjusted the brightness in PS, it's now the 3rd photo in the set.

How about using the white balance tool in either levels or curve on the snow? Click on the snow. It will brighten up your photo and adjust the colors at the same time (white balance). The snow appears to have a color cast on it.