I like the lightness it works well imo - the disappearing details help us focus more on what is important. However, I think that I would try to darken some of the dark areas - esp around the eyes - they should be the focus imo...
Second, I would crop tighter but that is definitely a me thing. I would crop tighter and in this case (since I want this to be about eyes) I would shoot either slightly up or slightly down depending on the emotive quality you want - down would definitely make the eyes look bigger if she rotates them up to make eye-contact.
You might want to take what I say with a grain of salt because it displays my biases. ;)
Thanks for the comments Derek, like you I have never done this type of photo either, this being my first. I have taken plenty of Glamour photos of this model and have found that the soft feel works well with this models skin tones so I thought I'd try it in black and white. I am undecided as to wether to apply a soft filter to future black and white portraits.
MAybe too light in areas, like how her arm almost disappears. I've never done this sort of photo, but love the look of them. Love her eys as well...over all a touch soft tho.
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