Review: Ken and Melanie Light: Coal Hollow, Valley of Shadow and Dreams

The work of Ken Light was recommended when I put out a request on social media for photographers or photographic projects focusing on American suburbia.  They don't quite fit what I'm after, but they were worth looking at nonetheless.  

Coal Hollow:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jmF3r6_Uls

An examination of the destitute, yet resolute, coal mining communities of southern West Virginia.  Mix of landscape and portraiture shot in black-and-white documentary style.  Much of the imagery is shot relatively close with few sweeping landscapes, no misty mountains, or tiny villages seen from mountain tops, in contrast to the California project, which includes quite a bit of aerial shots.  Composition on most of the images seems fairly standard and straight, where the California photos often feature tilted horizons and odd angles.  Altogether very suggestive - in style and content - of the 1930’s Farm Security Administration project.

California Lost:  Valley of Shadow and Dreams:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=20&v=JidVuNhdda4

A survey of agriculture and land development in California, shot in B&W in a style similar to Coal Hollow.  The content appears to be a bit more far-ranging as it covers everything from immigrant farmers to the decline in US agriculture to the housing boom - and bust - of the 2000s.  Like the WV project, this was long term, apparently five years, and included access to a number of people and communities. Again very evocative of the 1930s, and though I never caught a reference to John Steinbeck in the video, I’m sure he must appear in the book.

Ken Light:  http://www.kenlight.com/

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