Interesting. The lighting is very dramatic, and the pose of the hand is full of tension. I love the way the shadows fall along all those creases on the thumb. It seems as though you pushed the contrast up just a little bit too much though. Otherwise, it's a great study of a hand.
I think this is a great black and white.. i love the dramatic lighting, but i think the lighting on the subject is just a touch on the weak side... = 8 - setzler