Casting Shadow

This is a beautiful and simple scene - very peaceful .
The tree, shadows, and lines in the snow are great - a nice exposure.
All the small bits of debris and bushes are - to me - quite distracting, so I'd personally clone them all out.
Very nice image!
Sandy

This is simple and beautiful.  It might be quite tedious, but if your inclinations allow, I would second Sandy's suggestion about cloning out the background bushes, etc. It would further simplify things and make it even more elegant. Nice work!

The snow ripples really add to the image.  Looks like light fresh snow on top of hard pack or an icy crust. The bits on to top of the frame a little distracting, takes away from the rest of the "clean" look of the image.  Nicely seen.

Thank you Sandy, Harley, and Harry for the suggestions. Here it is the alternative version.

The repost is more in line with my thoughts on the image, Mattia.  I might even blow this up a bit more and carefully remove all left over debris.  Wonderful image in it's stark simplicity.  Well worth the wait.

The re-post looks much better. The lone tree and its shadow are the stars, here. I agree with Gary about cloning the bits of bits still remaining. The tones look very nice.

Just a second thought, Mattia: Create a new version, but leave the two larger bushes in the top left. Doing so provide a nice line from those bushes, through the tree and then its shadow.
--P

I'm really enjoying this; especially the larger version. The austerity and high-key make for a very refined image.

Beautifully composed image. I prefer your repost which is a cleaner comp. but I seem to detect a bit of a halo around the tree. 

Mattia,

I'm really liking the isolated twin-trunk tree against the snow field (looks like white sand to me.)  I also like the high-key presentation of that snow, the ripples/waves letting the tree really stand out. I'm wondering if the shadow could be enhanced? Of course your intention may just be like it is, which is ok too.

I'm on the fence with all the cloning and debri.  There is more than just up top, but there are scatterings of little sticks popping up everywhere.  I'm almost inclined not to clone and accept all the detail. In fact, without the "stuff" up top, there would be little or no detail at all.  Sure, I with it was cleaner and more pristine... but it grows on me as presented.

Lon

Very nice, Mattia. I like the repost, but I like the original about the same. I also agree with Preston about at least leaving in the two small shrubs in the ULC in the repost. 

A great minimalist view of the tree in the snow.  I could see this with lots of cloning (as in the repost) to remove the shrubs and grasses along the top, but I also like this view where those bits add context and a touch of dynamic balance.  In this view, I do think cloning out the bit right above the top of the tree would be good.

The repost is much better but I sort of liked the bush in the ulc. To include it you would need a frame that cuts into the tree's shadow a little bit. The bush would add a touch of complexity to the image.

Repost works well and a very nice scene.  My son was living in Northern Italy and we took a couple of trips there recently. Can't wait to go back.