What to do...

Each late winter when I begin pruning my apple tree, I notice that the previous growth results in a "3 prong pitchfork" at the end of most branches.  And I've probably asked this before but can't find that post!  (Maybe at another site).  Anyway, I am looking for suggestions on how to prune these back or let them go?   Take of a particular one? Or two?  I have a picture that hopefully will help.   I'm trying to keep the tree in a natural shape, it is on M111 rootstock.  The tree is about 8 years old.  Thanks!

m111 makes an almost-standard size tree, maybe 25 feet tall, if you let it.  i’m not entirely clear how one would prune for natural shape, especially when starting at so young. i might be tempted to give a few years between prunings while it’s little.

aside from that, if it was me, i’d probably weight or spread the side prongs on such ‘forks’ down into horizontal fruiting branches in places where they’re far enough away from fruiting branches below. though i’m not sure if that would be considered a natural shape.

Basically, I mean wider at the bottom narrower at the top...here is a picture (a little dark) of the whole tree as it stands now.  I also think it may be too "branchy" (is that a word), but I have trouble deciding which to take off, so I guess I leave too many.  Or do I?    This may make things clearer.      

It sounds like you want the central leader form for your tree. This article has some good diagrams as to how it is done.
https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/blogs/plant-care-guides/fruit-trees-101-pruning

Thanks, Greg and Joylynn...I think I make too many heading cuts resulting in too much vigorous growth. And I may have too many scaffold branches coming off the main scaffolds.   The more I read it seems pruning is mostly a personal preference and, in the end, unless you really get to cut happy, you aren't going to kill the tree.  Just understand the basics and experiment a little.  Maybe this is a dumb question, but is there an age when a branch stops fruiting?  

winter/early spring pruning definitely encourages new growth - but you can counteract that by following up with some thinning during a june prune, which does the opposite. you probably do want more airflow in that tree.

Yes, the more I look at it the more I realize I have too many branches branching of the main scaffolds.  Especially the upper scaffolds that are shading and cutting air flow from the fruit below.  I appreciate the comments.