though it does point the root at the viewer, i think it is a better choice than the socond photo you posted. the reason for that opinion is, by rotating so the deadwood is in the front, you expose an area of the nebari that looks a little "hollow" at the base of the tree. i have not worked with apples before so i don't know that this is possible, but leaving the prominent root forward, could you then graft/improve the rooting under the deadwood and take some of the prominence away from the front of the tree?