“Grainy Crossing Man” Photograph

The digital grain in this photograph comes from over-processing the picture after it was taken. More specifically it comes from pushing things too far when using a single image to produce a High Dynamic Range effect (which I discuss briefly here). Technically speaking, this is not good.

However, in this case I like the way it has given the sky a coarse texture as if there was a material backcloth hanging behind everything or the sky was made of cement. In the old days of film cameras, graininess was often a desirable quality that enhanced many pictures with pleasing texture. The general consensus is that modern digital grain is far less pleasing overall and rarely enhances a photograph but I think it works here.

Photograph taken at “Sunday Walking Street”, Chiang Mai, Thailand