Some images demand a stage as luminous as the stories they tell. For those moments, paper is not simply a surface but a partner in performance. Hahnemühle Photo Rag Metallic offers exactly that, an extraordinary blend of fine cotton tradition with a pearlescent coating that transforms light itself into part of the print.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.