Et facere et pati fortia Romanum est

"softer" version
http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/...nd-d7fs5a3.jpg

"harder" version
http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/...nd-d7fs61c.jpg

The Story:
Good Friday Procession in a little village in the middle of nowhere in south Italy, is so cold that is snowing... but is a 5centuries old tradition for everyman of the village to march in the procession dressed as ancient romans, no matter the cold, no matter the snow... Et facere et pati fortia Romanum est (Acting and suffering bravely is the attribute of a Roman.)

The doubt:
I want to give the shot a sense of "suffering", so I would normaly choose the "harder" version, but I think that the too strong shadows on the "soldier" face could "hide" his expression. Also general comments and opinions are welcome

I prefer the softer version throughout the entire image.

However, considering your preference for the harder version except for it's impact on the man, you could use the softer version on that part of the image and the harder version on the rest of the image. I don't think that would look unnatural but I would have to see it to be sure.

Nice shot, I'm glad he's not wearing a wrist watch.

Very nice Pellegrino. It's the softer version for me.

John...exactly what I was looking for and a pair of tennis shoes....didn't find any...

Anyway, I like the softer version too.

I agree with Mike but also believe that you need more space in front of him to give him 'room to move' ... the background is nice a simple for an edit following canvas increase if you show what you took rather than a crop.