why is black and white filter so popular in photography? why would you opt for it over color? I know this goes for pretty much any filter, natural color is self evidently preferable, but I think black and white is probably the one filter that is still respected as artistic and appealing

heres a picture of kurt cobain and courtney love. we can never have another picture of them together ever again. and this one is fuckin ruined with black and white filter. we can never see it in color

this is probably an imperfect example. I'm sure the picture exists somewhere colorized. but I hope you understand my point. why would anyone under any respected photographer opt for black and white over natural colors?

I also assume it has something to do with color accuracy back then being shitty, and black/white was easier to get into focus or something like that, but I'd still prefer seeing historical moments we'll never have again in shitty color over just black and white...