Couple of wise artists!!(grin)

Each test in life only reminds me I'm not finished learning or teaching. Chin Up!!

I agree with both comments, sometimes less is more. Subtle details can sometimes portray more through imagination.
Before you continue, please check this gallery. Doug has some of the best emotive content I've seen.
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?user_id=545385

My input:
Cut back the lighting to accent the scene. Maybe even a directional cone light with soft edge.
If Bryce is running slow, it may be because there are so many reflections being rendered.
You might try changing the material on the spheres, run the render, save the file as one name, then save it as another.....Now try changing the material or to something less reflective and plop render each area. That's the Content....now for the Context.

The POV is ok, try moving the figure slightly to the right and turning him slightly clockwise. This will add more of the profile of his face and his hands to an angle which flows for the viewer.
This will pull the view from the light, through the scene to your main subject.

Great start, keep us updated.

ICM

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Ockham's razor- It's that simple