or much of photography’s history, prints were expected to be flat—quiet windows onto the world, faithfully holding their images in two dimensions. But some photographs resist confinement. They carry a charge that asks for more: more depth, more presence, more life. Metallic papers answer that call.

Carolina’s earliest encounters with photography were fueled by curiosity and a love of visual storytelling. She would lose herself in the vivid imagery of magazines. By the time she reached high school, she was actively experimenting and snapping scenes with her phone and the digital cameras that were beginning to shape her love to tell stories through her lens.

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.

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

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.

Carlos Rivera walks the city like a careful listener. Through architecture, street corners, and silent spaces, he composes images that feel both intimate and precise. A street photographer rooted in observation, Carlos captures the small, structured poetries of urban life, the solitude of a figure against glass, the glow of a taco truck at midnight, the rhythm of buildings folding into the sky.

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.

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.