UC Berkeley Journalism

Matthew Naythons: Light In Dark Places

The evening event at UC Berkeley’s Logan Media Center celebrated the release of Matthew Naythons’ new monograph, “Light in Dark Places,” and a concurrent photo exhibition. Hosted by veteran photographer Ken Light, the gathering highlighted the university’s commitment to preserving and showcasing documentary photography. Naythons’ career straddles two demanding professions—medicine and photojournalism. At 17 he secured a golden press card that allowed him into the White House for JFK’s funeral, later covering the Yom Kippur war and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. His work exemplifies the 1970s “second golden age” when color film, pioneered by William Eggleston, transformed reportage. Ken Light praised Naythons’ “chutzpah,” recalling how the young photographer called a pay‑phone to gain White House credentials. Michael, the new dean, echoed that “the work we do here… is part of the bedrock of American democracy,” underscoring the moral weight of visual storytelling. The event illustrates how institutional support—grants, printing donations, and student involvement—can amplify the impact of documentary photography. In an era of shrinking press freedoms, Naythons’ legacy reinforces the need for visual journalists to document conflict, hold power to account, and inspire the next generation.