Don't even consider it! - use an IR receiver IC and 38KHz modulation - IR remote control is a well proved and mature subject, use what has been proved to be simple and effective!.
IR noise: The human body will not cause noise that you can see with a simple IR receiver. If your IR receiver was at –60C then it could see body temperature. Noise will come from the sun and lights. Fluorescent lights emit 120hz pulses that are a problem. Use the 38khz or 40khz modules as mentioned on the last post. They try to filter out noise that is not on frequency. (like a radio receiver does)
An IR receiver IC has a lot more than just a bandpass filter:
It has a very high gain amplifier with automatic-gain-control.
Its black case blocks most visible light.
It has a circuit that reduces its sensitivity if continuous pulses are detected (interference from compact fluorescent light bulbs).
This is from a datasheet: