I’m tempted to say you seem to have been very well advised, because I am very taken by this, but I don’t recall seeing the original.

The lighting is particularly good, except for your right eye, which paradoxically is also my favourite part of the image! Or rather your right eye has a very compelling effect. But my mind keeps getting perturbed by what it sees as the anomalies in the way eyes appear to be lit. That is my mind keeps questioning why your right eye would be so dramatically highlighted compared to your left.

As I write I’m trying to make my mind up, should it stay like this and keep the arresting impact or should it look more natural, less disturbing?

I agree with Chris, you've been advised well. Here's my 2 cents (Euro ones, of course!): I like the background lighting a lot, as it creates drama. The raised eyebrow with the stern expression and the contemplative hand (which may be cut a bit too short?) come together in a (mock) devilish way - very nice indeed!

Thanks Chris for your observations. The light was courtesy of a bog standard anglepoise lamp (I don't have sophisticated lighting systems!!) I tilted my head towards the anglepoise lamp to catch the light. Using the reflection in the lens of my camera I could gauge how much light was hitting me - I leaned forward so that a little light also caught the rim of the hood of my jacket. The eyes were dodged the same percentage (a little - not a lot) The left eyelid cast a downward shadow across the eye. By tilting the head I could also vary how much light hit the right cheek too. All very experimental. The Anglepoise lamp being pulled farther from me softened the shadow being cast on the wall behind, therefore, with a little help from photoshop I rendered a stronger shadow. Hope this helps? It was just a piece of fun!!

Pekka hopefully my response to Chris explains what I went through to get this shot!! I've never been called a Devil before - hopefully that is "Devishly" handsome - LOL - only joking!!! ;-)

a dandy portrait, the mute colors work well for me as well as the side light ...this time focus is on target ...cheers ;-))