Film grain
Filmkorrel · Analoog
The visible grainy texture in analogue photos, caused by silver halide crystals in the film.
Grain is the analogue equivalent of digital noise, but feels different: more organic, less uniform. The higher the film speed (ISO 400+), the larger the grain. Black and white film shows more visible grain than colour film at the same ISO. Grain is not a flaw, it's a stylistic characteristic. Ilford HP5 pushed to ISO 1600 or 3200 gives a documentary, raw look.