Jason,
I definitely prefer #1- but not because of the deer. The crop on #2 makes the base too thin imo. A solid chunk of granite like Glacier Point needs something fairly substantial to rest upon .
That said, I think the deer add a good element without presenting any distractions.
Someone on the other forum suggested a bit darker sky- and you obliged here. It looks better this way imo .
Charlie
PS- a marvelous photograph!
Thanks for the comments everyone! It's interesting in that most of the folks here on BW like the shots with the deer while the landscape forum folks prefer the one without.
I love the photo ""Winter Sunrise, Sierra Nevada from Lone Pine California"" from Ansel. Have that hanging on my wall, one of my favorites
I'll go against the grain here Jason. I think the foreground in the first a bit too bright, so less of it in #2 is pleasing me more here. I did like the deer.
Beautiful, the sun rays are amazing. I love them both but #1for me because of the additional foreground. I think reducing the highlights in the foreground might be something to consider.
I prefer without the deer. I didn't comment before, but when I saw the original composition with the deer I thought it would be better without them. I still think so.
Another vote for #1 with the deer but to me this one needs to have the snow highlights in the four-ground darkened a bit. The second one addresses this by removing much of this area. Perhaps this might be the reason some prefer #2.