I like the tight portrait and how you have the torso situated. I like the BG but would have moved up of down to get the horizon line out of the same plane as the ears. Shadows on the face harsh and distracting too. Shadow/Highlights could help that.
Hi John, I was unable to even capture one looking at me let alone this close. Agree with shadows but it is still a very nice image and I would be thrilled to have gotten it-Thanks for sharing.
John,
Before I read your comment, I thought to myself, "looks like this guy just woke up from a nap". Nice complimentary colors and good detail. I don't really find the shadows that distracting, maybe due to the dark markings on the face (probably more so because the majority of the ones I have also got shadows).