Do you like this portrait? Is it "in your face" enough? too much? What do you think of such a composition? Is symetry appropriate? What about the side lighting?
Please feel free to let me know, I will not be offended as I am not sure myself what to think about it.
It's "outside the box" and it works great. I think your use of fill makes it the fine image it is. I don't think it would have worked as well with straight side light. Also love the comp.
I think it is very nice. Because it is such a simple image, the side light component adds needed depth to the image, but is not so directional as to cause the birds right eye to go to dark. The pattern of the neck feathers beneath the bill tends to draw my eyes towards the birds eyes.