I have tried running photon on multiple arch linux systems using both
the AUR package and compiling from source. It works just fine on both
ubuntu and alpine linux. When I try and open it, it does not do anything
and it just hangs until I close it. I redirected stdout to a file and
nothing gets printed. I have tried feeds both with and without images
with the same outcome. I debugged it with dlv and it seems to hang on 
imgproc/clir_linux.go line 33 which is a call to the C init function.

This is great, that you've debugged it. But I don't know what's wrong.
When you redirect the output it should at least start with the log:

	imgproc: starting OpenCL initialization

try to install some opencl things (drivers, ocl-icd, ...)

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I tried installing some drivers and ocl-icd but what ended up working
was following the instructions here [1]. Before I made that change, I
tried other software which uses opencl which all hangs so this is
probably an archlinux thing and not related to Photon. 

[1]: https://forum.manjaro.org/t/clinfo-and-codes-using-opencl-hangs-forever-after-last-update/138541