First Critique: Self Portraits

[StevenH]

Hi, I recently signed up for a profile on flavors.me and was looking to take a dark mono portrait to use as a background for the profile. I wanted to capture a slightly 'quirky' expression and the eyes used to lead the viewer to the title and links on the profile.
I am currently in my final year of studies at University and have very little time to spare for a hobby like this, but I am keen to learn how I can improve my photography. Any critique on the images below would be gratefully appreciated!
Thanks
Steven

Update:
My intention was to capture a crisp black and white portrait with a lot of texture in the skin and hair. I also wanted to convey a sense of 'oddness' in the shots. I tried to do this using the hands in unusual places and the eyes leading away. I can't quite capture the crisp texture in the skin that I am looking for. How can I better capture this and also do you think I convey the 'oddness' that I am looking for? Thanks


Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure 1/60 sec at f / 4.0
ISO: 400
Flash: Did Fire


Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure 1/60 sec at f / 4.0
ISO: 400
Flash: Did Fire


Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure 1/60 sec at f / 3.5
ISO: 400
Flash: Did Fire

flavors.me profile page

[sk66]

I need 3 things in order to critique how successful the images are.

Exif data telling me what equipment was used and how.. (i.e. I think the lens was a bit short for two of them). BTW, this is a requirement to include with critique posts (even if irrelevant to the question..see next).

Where you feel you may have fallen short...If you are happy with the images, that is all that matters and there is no need for critique. BTW, a specific question is preferred/almost required for critique posts.

What the "intent" of the images was...if I don't know what you intended to convey, I cannot say if you suceeded or not, or suggest what *might* work better.

[StevenH]

Sorry, I have updated the post and added the required information.
Thanks

[sk66]

Originally Posted by StevenH

My intention was to capture a crisp black and white portrait with a lot of texture in the skin and hair. I also wanted to convey a sense of 'oddness' in the shots.

Base on that I'd say you faired pretty well.
The most successful being #1. #2 is close, but not as well framed or lit and it has a little more of a "normal" perspective.
In #1 the use of the wider lens has accentuated the nose adding to the "oddness". To get more texture you need either "crisper light" or a source of "sidelight", or both. A deeper DOF would have helped as well. I see plenty of skin texture at the focus plane.

If you hadn't told me you were trying to convey "oddness", my critique would have been significantly different.