Inside the Lens: John Light's Black-and-White Tribute to L.A. Country Club Ahead of U.S. Open

The Man Behind the Camera

For over a decade, John Light has done more than just play golf at Los Angeles Country Club—he has immortalized it. As the North Course prepares to host its first-ever U.S. Open this week, the 82-year-old retired antitrust lawyer and avid photographer is sharing his stunning black-and-white images with the world. His work, now adorning the walls of the LACC clubhouse, captures the undulating terrain and hidden majesty of both the North and South courses.

“You get back there in some places on the North Course and you can’t see the city,” Light said. “It’s like you’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s gorgeous and stunning.” That sense of isolation and natural beauty is exactly what he has bottled in his 75 featured photographs—each one a testament to his quiet passion for the sport and the land.

A Passion Rekindled in Retirement

Light didn’t always wield a camera with professional intent. A partner at Latham & Watkins specializing in antitrust and corporate law, he first picked up photography as a young attorney. But it remained a casual hobby for decades while he built his legal career. It wasn’t until retirement that he dove headfirst into the art, amassing an extensive portfolio that spans far beyond golf.

His focus on the course began to sharpen when architect Gil Hanse undertook a restoration of the North Course in 2010. That project, combined with LACC’s hosting of the 2017 Walker Cup, ignited Light’s passion for golf photography. “I think my favorite picture of the golf course is a black-and-white shot I took of No. 11,” he recalled. “There was a boiling array of clouds above the hole, and if you look really closely you can see a little plane pulling a banner.”

That image—like so many others—encapsulates the dramatic interplay of light, weather, and landscape that makes LACC a hidden treasure.

A Course Ready for Its Close-Up

The U.S. Open is golf’s ultimate test, and this year it unfolds on a layout that many consider one of the world’s greatest. Light has been an unabashed advocate for the club for half a century. “I’ve been an advocate for this place all of my adult life,” he said. “I’ve told people, ‘If you haven’t seen it, you’ve missed one of the great gems of golf.’ It’s one of the greatest courses in the world.”

Now, millions of fans will finally see what Light has known all along. The North Course’s rolling fairways, deep bunkers, and panoramic views will be broadcast globally. And Light’s photographs, rich in contrast and emotion, serve as an artistic preview of the drama to come.

Key Highlights of Light’s Photography

• 75 black-and-white images on permanent display in the LACC clubhouse
• Shot over more than a decade, focusing on the North and South courses
• Favorite image: No. 11 hole with dramatic clouds and a plane banner
• Restoration work by Gil Hanse (2010) inspired his focus on course photography
• Walker Cup 2017 at LACC provided additional motivation

The Human Element: A Lawyer’s Eye for Detail

What makes Light’s work stand out is his ability to find the intimate within the vast. His legal training in meticulous observation translates into compositions that balance geometry and nature. “It’s like he sees the course differently—almost like a legal document,” one fellow club member noted. The black-and-white palette strips away distractions, forcing viewers to focus on texture, shadow, and form.

Light, now 82, is energized by the upcoming U.S. Open. “And this week, the pictures come to life,” he said, hinting at the thrill of seeing the course challenge the world’s best players. While he may not be on the fairways competing, his images are already part of the tournament’s story.

Why Black-and-White?

In an era of high-definition color and drone footage, Light’s choice to shoot in monochrome feels almost rebellious. “Black-and-white forces you to look at the bones of the scene—the lines, the shadows, the light,” he explained. “For me, that’s where the emotion lives.”

His photographs often transform familiar holes into abstract landscapes. A bunker becomes a lunar crater; a green turns into a velvet carpet. This artistic interpretation offers fans a fresh perspective on a course that has remained largely private for decades.

Behind the Lens: Fast Facts About John Light

• Member of LACC for over 50 years
• Retired antitrust and corporate lawyer at Latham & Watkins
• Serious photography began in retirement
• Work displayed in the clubhouse since 2017
• Age: 82 and still actively shooting

A Legacy of Advocacy

Light’s dedication to LACC extends beyond the camera. He has been a vocal cheerleader for the club to host major events. The U.S. Open marks the culmination of years of lobbying. “If you haven’t seen it, you’ve missed one of the great gems of golf,” he repeats, like a mantra. Now, the gem will be under the world’s microscope—and Light’s photographs provide the perfect invitation.

As the tournament unfolds, expect his images to circulate on social media, in broadcast montages, and in the minds of fans who long to walk the same fairways. John Light may be an 82-year-old retired lawyer, but his black-and-white art has given Los Angeles Country Club a timeless soul.

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