Digital noise and film grain in B&W.

[SrMi]

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I am often drawn to the quality of B&W film, especially the grain quality and its distribution. However, the complications of shooting film (developing, scanning) draw me toward shooting B&W with digital. I am learning how to imbue the quality of B&W film into digital raw files, and here are my thoughts.

I do not think digital noise is a suitable replacement for the film grain found in B&W negatives.

Unlike the harsh, square pixels of digital noise, film grain is composed of organic silver halide crystals that are not uniformly shaped or sized. Also, film grain is more visible in highlights and midtones, while digital noise is more visible in shadows.

So one way to get a decent B&W look could be to remove the noise and add film grain simulation in highlights and midtones. LrC now has luminosity masks that can apply film grain specifically to highlights or midtones.

Any comments and relevant experiences?

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[LocalHero1953]

I find different cameras have different digital noise ‘looks’, some attractive, some not. I found the SL2-S noise OK, but the Q2 noise ugly. 

[Eoin]

Embrace the modern B&W sensor as base palette, then take it where your creative desires want in post and printing... just like the good old days spent in the darkroom.

Life has never been so good photography wise, as now. I'd rather noiseless images over "organic" grain everyday. I can then tune it or take it in a totally unintended direction with grain effects and crushing contrast.

From my youth until starting a family, I developed and printed my own film. Time became scarce and I adopted digital and hadn't looked back at B&W until the M11M. 
Regardless of its output, the methodology and mindset in shooting a monochrome evoke the essence B&W photography without the chemicals and hours spent.  

Embrace... life is much easier😉 

[frame-it]

digital noise on a deep infrared [850nm] converted camera sensor looks delicious  

 

Edited 8 minutes ago by frame-it