hi bobfr,
some ideas...
to the scene:
#1: i would make them standing on the same level/line. (e.g. lower the camera)
#2: imo the old manfred should be smaller (old people shrink). and it would fit better in the curve also.
#3: the opposite of #2, to fit better in the curve the match-stack should be higher.
#4: move the hand either forth or back so they dont touch like this. (imo)
to the lighting:
keep the studio lighting. you could try to make the meshlight in the back of the manfreds slightly blue and the meshlight infront of them slightly orange to signalize the past and the future.
to the background:
i would make a black (slightly blurry) reflective ground and a background similar to
this . this will accentuate the curve even further.
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these are only some suggestions - do whatever you want with your already great scene
