Man in a boat / B&W

[TJoy]

I've taken pictures of my kids and friends for years. Purely candid and automatic. Over the last several years, I've wanted to learn how to use my camera better, using manual focus modes. I decided to take my camera to the local boat ramp and just snap a few pictures here and there. I thought this was an interesting picture because of the movement of the water, but at the same time it's just not "it"! So critique away. I can't learn if I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Is the black and white right for this photo? Did I get the lighting and contrast right or is it off? I took the picture with my Canon Rebel XTi and the only editing other than changing to black and white is removing a couple of street signs from the background. Okay, I'm all yours. Let me have it!

[windrider86]

The lighting on the boat is fine but in your conversion the rest became flat.
The picture as a whole doesnt provide a lot of interest to the viewer. It doesnt really create a story for one to wonder about.
You mentioned liking the water movement, Cool, then focus on that aspect rather than the WHOLE broad spectrum. The movement of the water with a hint of the boat would be interesting. That might make you wonder who is in the boat, what are they doing?
A photo should always tell a story but leave a bit of mystery to it. So the story can be told over and over by different people. It may have a different story every time, but that story (to each person) will make them connect to your photo