It used to be different. Until mid-2000s, when there were practically only films, color or monochrome film in your camera was a “choice of life.” It was not “all right, I will convert into monochrome later” thing (there were Kodak Panalure Select Papers available back then, though).
Honestly, it was a huge dilemma for me to choose either Leica M-E (the least expensive digital Leica M back then) or M Monochrom. Eventually, I chose the latter, and I believe I was right. Even with digital, looking at things with monochrome eye is very important, I may say.
Black and white photographs are not just “colorless photographs.” With practice, you may develop your own skills to compose an image without “a sense of reality.” For instance, food photographed in black and white is no longer “food.” It is an object with tone and texture (and you won’t have an appetite). Not quite appropriate for an SNS post! You need to try harder to make it look good. Not gastronomically, of course.
Ultimately, monochrome photographs are about “light and shadow come into a play in rectangle.” I shall always remember that. And, that is true in digital photography, too. KT
Koyo Tamaki, photographic artist 