Carolina Madrigal’s photography lives in two worlds. In one, there is the deliberate pace of film, the solid weight of a Canon AE1, the mechanical click of its shutter, the anticipation of waiting to see what a roll will reveal. In the other, there is the immediacy of digital, the versatility of her Canon RP, the freedom to adapt on the fly, the satisfaction of seeing an image seconds after it’s made.

When an image calls for both depth and subtle warmth, the choice of paper can make all the difference. Hahnemühle Bamboo Baryta offers a rare balance: the smooth, natural base tone of bamboo fibers paired with the luminous depth and tonal separation of a baryta coating. The result is a print surface that feels organic yet powerful, an ideal match for photographs that blend softness with impact.

In fine art printing, paper is more than a surface, it’s a storyteller in its own right. The choice between a smooth, glossy sheet and a richly textured matte isn’t simply aesthetic; it shapes the way we read and feel an image.

This past July in Chicago, Leicapalooza brought together photographers, collectors, and enthusiasts for a celebration unlike any other, part challenge, part gathering, and entirely dedicated to the spirit of Leica.

The second weekend of July 2025, Chicago’s streets came alive with the energy of Leicapalooza, a weekend where Leica enthusiasts, seasoned pros, and first-time shooters came together for challenges, talks, and unforgettable moments.

There’s a quiet revolution underway in the world of fine art printing—one that doesn’t compromise beauty for sustainability. Hahnemühle Sustainable Photo Satin 220 is part of that future. Made from 100% alpha-cellulose sourced from responsible forestry and crafted with solar energy, it speaks to a new standard: care for the image, and care for the world it enters.

SEAL OF PROVENANCE AND CRAFTMANSHIP A true fine art print is more than just an image, it embodies authenticity. Every piece is meticulously secured, preserving provenance and instilling collector confidence. At its core, it is a promise of integrity and a commitment to craftsmanship. PRESERVING ART, HONORING AUTHENTICITY

That instinct to observe, compose, and distill; would eventually guide him to the still image. It happened during a black-and-white photography class at Columbia College Chicago, taken to fulfill a graduation requirement. What began as coursework became a calling. “Little did I know,” he says, “this would start me down a path of photography as a passion.”

There’s something unmistakable about a film photograph committed to paper. It’s not just the grain, or the tonal falloff, or the muted glow in the highlights, it’s the sense that something lived here. Film, by nature, is imperfect. It breathes. It softens the sharpness of reality just enough to let emotion in. And when it’s printed on the right surface, that softness becomes physical.

Joe photographs with the eye of a director, drawn to quiet drama and the gestures of everyday life. He speaks of story as a living thing, shaped by light, space, and human presence. “The world moves,” he says. My job is to freeze moments and tell a story. He favors observation over orchestration, letting curiosity guide the lens. If that curiosity makes someone feel sad, happy, uncomfortable, or even angry, that’s their truth. And mine was the curiosity to make the image to

PAPER FOCUS - Hahnemühle Fine Art Photo Silk Baryta X 310 gsm. - Where precision meets poetic contrast.

NOT JUST A DESATURATED FILE There’s a common misconception that black and white printing is simple, just remove the color, and you’re done. But in fine art printing, black and white is not a shortcut. It’s a discipline. Black and white images demand more than conversion. They ask for intention, how light is mapped, how shadows fall, how the midtones breathe between contrast and quiet.

Carlos Rivera listens for the silence cities offer, the hush between footsteps and steel. Through his lens, the ordinary becomes spacious, composed, and deeply human. His restrained images reveal rhythm, geometry, and story in overlooked corners. Printed on Hahnemühle FineArt paper, each photograph honors stillness and devotion, a quiet pursuit of meaning through repetition, patience, and light.

Rodrigo Rangel de Alba has spent 35 years crossing borders and capturing stillness in motion. A French-Mexican photojournalist who’s visited every country on Earth, his lens reveals quiet gestures and fleeting expressions. Light & Paper proudly honors Rodrigo as our inaugural Artist of the Month, celebrating a body of work that connects not continents, but people.

WHAT MAKES A PRINT ARCHIVAL? NOT ALL PRINTS ARE CREATED EQUAL. PIGMENT-BASED INKS In the world of fine art photography, the term “archival” signals more than quality, it signals longevity. But what exactly makes a print archival? At its core, archival printing is about resisting time. It is the union of materials and methods designed to preserve art and photographs for generations, without fading, yellowing, or degradation.

Soft yet substantial, Hahnemühle Photo Rag Matt 308 gsm is a 100% cotton, acid-free paper revered for its velvety blacks, subtle gradients, and refined skin tones. Ideal for portraits and emotionally nuanced work, it supports the image without distraction. Crafted in Germany and compatible with the Certificate of Authenticity, it offers permanence and provenance—elevating each print into something tactile, reverent, and lasting.

Rodrigo Rangel de Alba has seen every country on Earth—not as a tourist, but as a witness. His portraits, captured over decades, reflect identity as lived experience: quiet gestures, fleeting expressions, and moments of trust. As Lux Photo Lab’s ambassador, Rodrigo prints on Hahnemühle Fine Art papers, preserving presence with dignity. His work reminds us that identity isn’t bound by borders—it’s written in light.