I would strongly advise against removing those big, green and healthy leaves, they are probably producing the largest amount of energy for your plant. Removing those leaves will reduce your plants ability to produce energy, resulting in slower and smaller growth. Those branches you think are being shaded are actually relying on those leaves to produce the energy to make them grow. Only yellow leaves should be removed, as by the time they are yellow, they have served their purpose. Removing healthy, green, energy producing leaves for no apparent reason other than a human thinks that he knows better than the plant, is pointless.
Fewer healthy green leaves = less energy produced = slower and smaller growth potential. It is that simple. Hope this helps.... Organoman.