The processing is strange. I see posterization in the shadows and areas of low contrast. It looks like an unsharp mask was used with two large of a radius in the second photo.
Welcome to posting here. That "first step is a big one." And you just took it.
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First...my standard intro to anyone "new to me" on this forum...
My comments or suggestions below are not a criticism of you, your model, your talent or skill. I offer them in a friendly tone of voice and with the sole intent to help you with a second POV and set of eyes. If you read sincere questions and simple suggestions as "criticism" of you, then you will miss how I am trying to help you. All smilies I post are genuine and sincere.
Of course this may be your own "style" or your own "vision" and I suppose we can assume that the images look just like they do because that is exactly how you like them. That is OK too. It just shows that there are differences of "opinion" on what looks good. IF these are exactly what you want and like, then by all means continue making your images look like that and have fun doing it. As I always say: "Follow your own muse."
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I like the subjects....and I like BW too.
I prefer image 2 because of the direct look and the smoke (some small action).
I think the images appear too dark for typical viewers.
So, FIRST I suggest making sure you use a calibrated monitor when editing images.
As they may appear OK to you if your monitor is too bright (not calibrated).
As shown the images appear "artificially dark" and while I like "dark" images, "moody" images, and "low key" photos, ...it appears to be more like a processing choice that has "darkened" an image or as it appears on my calibrated monitor when viewing on the net.
If you have doubts about this, you might want to add a few lines to your introduction up top, that says something like this:
"Do these images appear too dark on your calibrated monitors?"
yes these pictures are post processed using dragan effect workflow with several steps of my own recipe...
very well noted with your suggestions mostly with calibration of my monitor...
just one question sirs...what would be the best calibration technique for my monitor...i have a philips 220e hd monitor with 1gb nvidia video card set to the highest resolution...are there any preferable steps i need to consider in order to produce better images...? i see a lot of great image quality posted on forums which i'm having a hard time to duplicate...
