Todd,
It's not trying to look grainy, it just is grainy? In that process the end result is usually like that. However, look at the picture, it has a rich spread of delicate midtones, There is very little highlight or black. however, that is not like the look! That is the genuine beast!
I like the softness imparted by a pictures with mostly the mid tones. BTW, you are not the only person in the world who does not like such pictures. However, I do like it. Not for sentimentality, but because the skin looks so soft that I feel that a delicate finger would make the skin indent softly.
So this is a matter of esthetics.
Today with photography we have a standardized set of rulers by which we meansure things. No grain, even lighting, no lens distortion, rule of i/3 and so forth.
There is also a lot f expression possible in photography outside htese linits with rulers calibrated deifferently.
I treasure this picture, even if I am the only other person on the planet besides the photographer who likes it!
Could the picture be improved? Could the lady be more interesting if the breasts were smaller or a different composition, maybe. Sure, I'd like the sheet not blown out and something of the face, but then the picture might not work for me either!!
I'm glad you are honest about your feelings! That makes things worthwhile.
Asher