They used to play hereby
albc28Comment by Artifacts: Positives:
Black and white with this perspective and subject is all right. General BW contrast is good and there are many different shades of grey represented. Having no humans in the frame supports the grain concept.
Technicals:
Understand the logic of ISO 1600 to get more 'grain'. Doesn't work very well, does it? :) Digital noise does NOT have the same feel and effect as film grain. You will usually need to add digitally generated film grain in post processing like you had to do. DOF is shallow as a result of the ISO but that seems to work OK with the intent of this image.
Image looks a little busy with scattered dirt and whatever in the foreground. Detail and sharpness are not strong.
The Challenge:
Meets the challenge, yes, but how well? A question certainly asked by the discriminating voter viewing this image.
Grain should never be in any image unless it directly supports the intent of the photographer AND the expectations of viewers. Not many subjects lend themselves well to it and it should be applied sparingly. Most grain in DPC images is unintentional or left in because it requires more work to take it out and/or the photographer suddenly decides the image is 'good enough' with it. Neither are good reasons for it.
It is likely that a significant portion of voters felt the addition of grain to this image was crafted specifically to meet the challenge moreso than it was actually necessary to support the image. There would be a lively debate among voters about it with this image. Probably explains why it scored in the middle.
Suggestions:
This image may be better without grain. Strong contrast might support the sense of lost childhood play than grain does and would would reduce the 'busyness' of the foreground. You might want to try that and see what you think.
Photographer found comment helpful.
