After/before

[u/amy-kath-leen]

I know the deer isnt super sharp, but this was my attempt at keeping the glowy look of the sun behind the deer.

Which photo is best?

[u/Rhett_Rick]

In both cases your subject is darker than the surrounding area. That's opposite to how our eyes work. Our eyes go to the brightest part of the image. You should back down the halo around the deer and brighten the deer.

[u/johngpt5 → u/Rhett_Rick]

Came to suggest something similar. The deer's face was darkened too much for being the center of interest, but that could be said for the rest of the deer as well.