A process is disclosed for preparing a photographic emulsion utilizing an alkynylamine compound as a grain growth modifier. Specifically, the present invention provides a process of preparing a photographic emulsion comprising:introducing silver ions, halide ions and a grain growth modifier having the structure ##STR1## wherein z represents atoms necessary to complete a five to nine-membered heterocyclic ring system, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and R.sup.4 represents hydrogen, or an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, into a dispersing medium containing silver halide seed grains; andmaintaining the dispersing medium containing the seed grains, silver ions, halide ions and grain growth modifier at a pH in the range from about 4.5 to about 10, and a pAg in the range from about 6.0 to about 9.5.Also disclosed is a photographic element comprising a support having incorporated thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, the silver halide emulsion layer comprising silver halide grains internally containing a compound of the structure ##STR2## wherein Z represents atoms necessary to complete a five to nine-membered heterocyclic ring system; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 be a lower alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and R.sup.4 represents hydrogen, or an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted.