Thank you, Mary Bell actually I prefer it darker, as well, despite of (almost) everybody else's opinion. I think it makes it as mysterious as Mona Lisa's smile...
I like this one tremendously - the darkness really makes the viewer study and the tones are so suitable to the title and the face - hmmm - very good my dear.
Manuela, I like the composition of this image a lot, but it seems a bit dark to me, perhaps if you lightened the mid tones just slightly. Just some random thoughts, Good Work, ray w.