There are many theories as to what makes the best black and white photos. I always found when it comes to landscapes the best photos are the ones that have the best clouds. It’s not really a big shocker but it is important. Having an absolute black and white is important to bring out the max range of light and shadows, but having the contrast and character of the clouds makes a huge difference with the overall composition.
Nikon D3, AF-S 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 VRII, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film