In black and white or monochrome—even when utilizing the occasional tint, filter, or texture overlay—my focus is what we call chiaroscuro, in English, a word directly from the Italian, meaning "light and dark." In Spanish, we say claroscuro, which has the same definition.
The interplay of natural light and shadow is vastly compelling, in all artworks. Working in black and white can emphasize those aspects in the most stunning ways.
I don't typically shoot traditional portraiture. These combine elements of conceptual photography; some are close to the figure study. What I hope to see, in a good portrait, is the emotion and movement of the moment. I've been blessed, to work with models who demonstrate completely genuine, raw emotion. I thank each of them.