Golden State Today

Ken Light, a documentary photojournalist and professor at Berkeley, traveled from San Francisco to the Midwest to photograph the Republican National Convention. Upon arrival, he learned of an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. "Of course it was a shock, and I began to wonder how this is going to change the political landscape," Light remarked.

Light has spent over 50 years documenting social issues in America through his photography and has covered several national conventions. His first was the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami during Richard Nixon's re-election campaign amid the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. He also photographed the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where Trump was nominated as the presidential candidate.

This week, Light is on-site at the four-day convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, accompanied by two former students, Jared Stapp and Wesaam Al-Badry. Stapp is credentialed by Contact Press Images, while Al-Badry is shooting for Mother Jones.

Berkeley News interviewed Light about his observations at the convention's start and what he plans to share with his photojournalism students this fall.

When asked why he decided to attend the convention, Light said: "My work and history as a photographer have been to take photographs of America for the last 50-something years, and I just felt this was a pivotal political moment in U.S. history." He added that obtaining credentials involved Secret Service vetting and daily floor passes.

Regarding security measures at the event, Light noted: "Security hasn’t been that different from what I’ve seen at other conventions. But there are a lot of police everywhere... flown in officers from Fresno... Tennessee and Kentucky."

On opening night at Fiserv Forum, attendees speculated whether Trump would appear before the final day of the convention. "We heard he would arrive at 10 p.m. And then 9:30," Light recounted. Eventually, Trump arrived with a bandage on his ear.

Comparing visuals between this year's convention and 2016's event, Light observed fewer American flags but many Trump hats: "I don’t know if the cult of personality of Trump rises above the flag."

Light also noted differences between protests now compared to those during past conventions: "In ’72... protests were much more dynamic... There also were a lot of arrests and tear gas." He added that current politics feel more serious than eight years ago when Trump's nomination prompted less intense reactions.

Reflecting on teaching photojournalism students about covering news events like these conventions, Light emphasized historical significance: "It’s your responsibility to tell stories." He plans sessions on safely working during demonstrations due to potential unrest if Trump wins again.

As for his immediate plans at the convention: "There are a couple public events going on outside... we’re back inside for more of the convention."