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Beauty<br />
in the beast<br />
Palo Alto photographer offers abstract visions of nature<br />
by Elizabeth Schwyzer | photos by Michael Kern<br />
A<br />
brief glance at one of Michael<br />
Kern’s photographs,<br />
and you might mistake<br />
it for an abstract work in<br />
stained glass, or the image<br />
seen through the lens of a<br />
kaleidoscope.<br />
Look again.<br />
Those jewel-like hues, those<br />
striking geometric patterns are<br />
in fact borrowed from nature<br />
— from the scales, feathers and<br />
skin of some of the world’s rarest<br />
creatures.<br />
This is “abstract reality,” a<br />
style of nature photography Kern<br />
created almost by accident but<br />
which has captivated viewers.<br />
Most recently, his colorful images<br />
caught the attention of one<br />
of the country’s most prestigious<br />
publications: The October issue<br />
of National Geographic features<br />
a 10-page spread of Kern’s work.<br />
For the Palo Alto business<br />
consultant-turned-professional<br />
photographer, it’s still a bit hard<br />
to believe the impact these images<br />
have had. Sitting in his Midtown<br />
home, where a spotted California<br />
kingsnake and an Australian carpet<br />
python overlook the dining<br />
(continued on next page)<br />
The camouflage poison dart frog’s beautiful colors are a warning sign to predators. Kern digitally<br />
manipulates his photographs to arrive at images reminiscent of Persian rugs, or the visions seen<br />
through the lens of a kaleidoscope.<br />
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 25, 2015 • Page 27
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