Lola.

¡Hola!
This couple caught me unaware, and I didn't have time to adjust the focus zone. Since I was sad about losing them, I tried a daring process...

Yes, among other things. Grain can give a certain “sensation of focus” when there is none. What do you think, would it be better in the trash?

Yes, I generally try to avoid it too. But sometimes it looks good if you are looking for a "vintage" aesthetic or, as in this case, to mask a major defect and try to save the image...

I agree that the added grain does not work in this case. Not necessarily the grain, per se, but the particular grain you added -- looks fake. So maybe a different added grain would work, or a lighter touch of the applied grain. That said, I think it might work best without the grain.

Grain doesn't work in most cases for me but in this case it works to some extent and so I definitely wouldn't throw out this image.

The scene is "powerful" and exudes emotion with the look on the woman's and dog's faces - definitely a keeper.

I would play with applying the grain selectively to appropriate elements and with other editing techniques and effects.

If you like, post a link to the raw file if you have it and people here might come up with interesting processing suggestions using the raw file or the jpeg.

Either way, keep the image 🙂

Same image, but without the added grain. It’s very soft: well, it’s really out of focus (and somewhat trepidated). I will try another kind of grain…

Hi Dan, i like the image the way you say, and that's why I've looked for some way to preserve it... but it's a small disaster 😀

There are several detail enhancing techniques that might have beneficial effects on the image when applied globally or selectively.

“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept" : Henri Cartier Bresson

That is one opinion but in any case you can enhance detail for artistic effects, not necessarily always for technical reasons.

I'm saying the Doctor should keep the photo and persevere with it to see if he/she can come up with a version they like.

For me, it's not a disaster as Doctor described.

It was a joke! I just threw in this famous quote to amuse.

And I saw it as an amusing quote, hence my reply to it.

I see what you're saying. Yeah -- a coarser grain than what you initially used might be better. Would it be OK if I posted a version for you to consider?

Yes, Ok.
And this is the initial disaster, only with a basic development and a crop...

This is just a quick and basic edit as a starting point.