“America’s Most Beautiful Dairy”
Allentown, PA
Nothing Gold Can Stay
11/25/2020
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#thisaintartschool
#woofermagazine
#artdeco
In today’s installment of our annual Photographers on Photographers series, Matthew Ludak (@ludakieiwcz ) and Richard Misrach take part in a dialogue.
Using different approaches, Matthew Ludak addresses social issues like class and racism through documentary photography, while Richard Misrach captures the American West in large-scale color images blending environmental and social narratives.
In this conversation, Misrach reflects: “I learned a long time ago if I head into the desert with a particular idea in mind, it never amounts to much…so I came up with this notion that has worked beautifully ever since: being ‘aggressively receptive.’”
🔗 Read more as Ludak explores Misrach’s journey at the link in bio.
#PhotographersOnPhotographers
Hello Friends,
Here I am once again trying to sell you some photography :)
I have got 5 prints I made on a mystical morning in the Fall of 2025. This photograph was one of my favorite made that year and I would love to see them end up in a great home, apartment, houseboat, trailer, etc…
Print details:
Paper size: 8.5” × 11”
Image size: 6.5” × 9”
Archival-quality matte paper
$65 + Shipping (sorry but these tariffs are hurting)
… also may or may not have three of these beauties printed at 13”x19”… 👀
(If you are in Philly you can stop by my studio @cherrystreetpier and pick it up 🎉)
Available now — send me a DM.
#printsale #studiosale #phillyphotographer #philadelphiaphotographer #fineartphotography
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a documentary photography project examining the social and environmental aftermath of economic globalization in former industrial towns; tracing resilience, decline, and transformation in communities shaped—and scarred—by coal and steel.
Featuring: Matthew Ludak (@ludakiewicz ), “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
📸 Matthew Ludak
🔗 Link in bio to preview more of “Nothing Gold Can Stay”, as well as all the 85+ public #Photoville2026 exhibits going up throughout NYC this summer!
____
📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park
▪️ Presented by Photoville
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📅 May 16–30th, 2026
📣 Opening Weekend May 16th and 17th, 2026 in @brooklynbridgepark
📍 85+ exhibitions across all 5 boroughs + IRL & online public programming
✨ Link in bio to learn more!
Thanks to Lead Marquee Partner @VSCO and Marquee Partners @brooklynbridgepark , @nycparks , @leicacamerausa , @nyculture , @neaarts@photowings , @nyscouncilonthearts , @madein_ny , @twotreesny , @dumbo_brooklyn , and @citypointbklyn
#PhotovilleFestival #Photoville2026 #PhotovilleNYC
“China House”
Philadelphia, Pa.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
11/27/2024
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#outofservicemag
#thisaintartschool
#subjectivelyobjective
#woofermagazine
Please give a warm welcome to Matthew Ludak (@ludakiewicz )!
Matthew Ludak is a Philadelphia-based documentary photographer capturing the quiet moments that reveal deeper stories of change, struggle, and resilience. His work invites us to slow down, look closer, and reflect on the world around us.
Get to know Matthew and the entire 2026 cohort by visiting the link in our bio.
#MyPhillyWaterfront #CherryStreetPier #ResidentArtist
“Joy”
Philadelphia
Nothing Gold Can Stay
2024-2025
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#outofservicemag
#thisaintartschool
#subjectivelyobjective
#woofermagazine
“Curtains”
Pennsylvania
Nothing Gold Can Stay
2026
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#outofservicemag
#everydayruralamerica
#subjectivelyobjective
#woofermagazine
“Welcome average American shopper”
Ohio
Nothing Gold Can Stay
2022
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#woofermagazine
#outofservicemag
#rustbelt
#subjectivelyobjective
“Structures”
Camden, New Jersey
Nothing Gold Can Stay
2019
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#outofservicemag
#everydayruralamerica
#subjectivelyobjective
#woofermagazine
“Moments”
Wilkes-Barre / Scranton
Nothing Gold Can Stay
2026
Nothing Gold Can Stay is a documentary photography project exploring how economic globalization has reshaped former industrial cities and struggling small towns across America. Informed by a tradition of American documentary, typological, and place-based photography, and inspired by my family’s history in a coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, the work examines economic hardship, resilience, beauty, and transformation in communities often overlooked. The project also considers the lasting environmental impact of the steel and coal industries, and how these forces continue to shape both landscape and everyday life.
#broadmag
#outofservicemag
#everydayruralamerica
#subjectivelyobjective
#woofermagazine
