Well coming from just blowing about 5 rolls of film and then reading about snow photos, I can only offer a measly suggestion. The neutrality of the light is not there. As you said it, it is a stark contrasting light. Hot on the snow, cool on the barn..
This exact shot in morning or evening light would be (in my opinion) more easier to manage and would provide a more dramatic photo. This is great composition, it just needs a bit of light surgery.
Now again, I re-iterate I have many blue snow photos and harsh blown out color slides if you would like to buy them (just kidding)..
Yes, I'm kicking myself :(. I had my camera on a setting that really didn't work for the kind of pictures I was taking and it was the starkest light of the day. I was wondering if this would be better in b&w? I like the composition myself, but I'm not sure on how to improve on the snow. Thanks for looking and as always, I appreciate your insight. One day I will be following you like a puppy ;). But first my kids need to grow up ;).
As you can see Petra snow and dark objects are tricky exposure shots. The snow needs some detail. The whole image is a bit soft. Try working with using the manual focus instead of just relying on auto focus.
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