I'm a Dallas-based photographer specializing in capturing Texas’ ghost towns, decommissioned military installations, and industrial abandonments at night. My background is in large-format, black & white photography, which has proven to be a perfect launching pad into the art of photographing our world in darkness.
Night photography is for me an interesting and addictive dichotomy; the purity and natural beauty of photographing under a bright, full moon, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, the creativity and power of the virtual blank canvas that is laid before me as I "light paint" an interior scene.
One of the things I enjoy most about photographing under a full moon are all the latent details, those things which reveal themselves to you only when you take the time to let the moonlight tell the story. I love the general sense of calm and tranquility in a peaceful night scene, as well as the eerie feeling one can get when looking at a decaying old ghost town under a full moon.
Light-painting is all about vision, or more specifically, "pre-vision", the ability to imagine the scene and lighting you want to create in the darkness, and to execute it in such a way as to match or surpass that imagination. The execution itself is an exercise in patience and control, imagination and experimentation, all the while drawing on your experience from previous shots to recreate your vision. To me, it's fascinating.
So two entirely different kinds of images, but both born of the same desire to express the emotions and feelings one gets when exploring these old, forgotten places.
So what do I do when I'm not taking pictures of old abandoned places? You usually can find me entertaining around the Dallas / Fort Worth area as a singer & acoustic guitarist. Here's the website: www.noelkerns.com
I also have a separate photography website. The URL is www.noelkernsphotography.com.
Note: Virtually all my photos are geotagged, so if you wanna know where they were taken, just click the map link in the 'Additional Information' section.
Print Resources
If you're interested in purchasing a print of any of the work posted here on my Flickr stream, please just send me an e-mail with what you'd like and I'll be back in touch with the details.
ArtStar.com
A handful of my photographs are available for purchase at ArtStar.com, an online gallery for collectors of contemporary art.
Showings, Exhibits, Publications...
2007
Texas Escapes Online Magazine - "Texas Ghost Towns by Night"
2008
"Darkness Darkness" - Three Columns Gallery, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
"Darkness Darkness" - Boston Exhibition & Convention Center, Boston, MA.
"Un-Ordinary Horizons" - Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX.
"Unscene Dallas" - W Hotel, Dallas, TX.
Texas Escapes Online Magazine - "Resurrecting the Ghosts of Route 66"
NBC5 North Texas 2009 Weather Calendar - July Photo - "Dallas Skyline Reflections"
2009
55 Degrees Wine Bar & Bistro - Plano, TX
CD / Album Cover for The Detroit Experiment - "Think Twice"
Capture El Paso - 2008
Darkness Darkness - Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester, MA
2010
Solutions Magazine -January / February Issue
The Turtle Restaurant - Brownwood, TX
Night Light" - Astoria, OR
Article & Interview for "Fotoritim" - Turkish Photography Magazine
Night Photography Blog by Andy Frazer
2011
Interview & photos - "Ape on the Moon" Photography Blog
Reader's Digest Magazine - June / July Issue
- JoinedJuly 2007
- OccupationMusician
- HometownAustin, TX.
- Current cityDallas, TX.
Most popular photos
Testimonials
The one thing that separates Noel’s incredible work, from the other amazing masters on Flickr is that aficionados (such as myself) find ourselves coming back time and time again to review, enjoy and amaze at his many images -- that we previously admired weeks or months earlier. I don’t usually make it a habit of lookin… Read more
The one thing that separates Noel’s incredible work, from the other amazing masters on Flickr is that aficionados (such as myself) find ourselves coming back time and time again to review, enjoy and amaze at his many images -- that we previously admired weeks or months earlier. I don’t usually make it a habit of looking at an image on Flickr more than once, unless it is absolutely stunning in it’s quality, unique and rare as a subject-entity, and the capture represents an element of risk that most photographers would gladly refuse. One of my favorite books is entitled, “The Dangerous Book For Boys” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dangerous_Book_for_Boys) I have both editions printed in the United Kingdom and United States! The British authors, Conn and Hal Iggulden could write a new book based on the exploits, adventures and talent of photographer Noel Kerns entitled, “The Dangerous and Marvelous Book for Extraordinary Photographers” and I would be first in line at B. Dalton the day it hit the stores. If there was such a book, ALL photographers would learn and benefit from it (as based on Noel Kerns). His technique is nearly unmatched. His eye is so extraordinary in the ability to perfect, maximize and exploit each composition. His “daring” in doing the difficult and going to locations (in the dark of night, that many of us would feel uncomfortable even in the daytime) is nearly without comparison. His technical knowledge is leaps and bounds above seasoned and veteran photographers here on Flickr and other image banks on the internet. Noel’s images will keep you wanting more and his many fans eagerly look forward to his Monday and Tuesday postings of his images, after his daring weekend jaunts into the darkness of night.
Read lessNoel's style is awesome. Long-forgotten spaces painted by his trademark lighting, framed wonderfully under the huge, magical night skies of America's Heartland and her West. Noel reanimates yesteryear in a way that conjures wonder about the narratives of each spot. Wanderlust meets silent history, frosted with a tou… Read more
Noel's style is awesome. Long-forgotten spaces painted by his trademark lighting, framed wonderfully under the huge, magical night skies of America's Heartland and her West. Noel reanimates yesteryear in a way that conjures wonder about the narratives of each spot. Wanderlust meets silent history, frosted with a touch of his own color... it's true visual alchemy!
Read lessNoel outstanding way todocument our city and other speaks for itself.God has centainly blessed him with awesome talent. Keep On keeping on brother.
I am once again inspired by one of the few masters of gel lighting... Thank you for awakening this in me...
Mr. Kerns ! MAN 0 MAN ! The guys photos speak batter than any alphabet mumbo jumbo I could assemble here ! His work speaks for itself, and LOUD ! Hands down one of the the best night photographers I know of. Amazing work by one cool cat ! Here is too Noel ! Salute ! ! ! ! ! ! `
Noel's photography is an amazing blend of technical excellence and art. His night shots clearly set him apart in the photography world; you really need to spend the time to drink in his images. I am always happy to see that he has added shots to his photostream -- I look forward to all of his posts. My current favor… Read more
Noel's photography is an amazing blend of technical excellence and art. His night shots clearly set him apart in the photography world; you really need to spend the time to drink in his images. I am always happy to see that he has added shots to his photostream -- I look forward to all of his posts. My current favorite is Golden Gate in Fog. Be careful, this shot and others in his portfolio will transport you away. BTW, Noel is a smokin' guitar player, too. If you see him, would you ask him to play "Girl from Ipanema" for me? Haven't heard him play that tune in a long time...
Read lessHere is the Night Master ! Noel the wizard, the One who command the night. His work is incredible and totally inspiring. One of the best night photographer on Flickr. And each time, it's a great pleasure for me to discovering his new creation. Keep on the good work Noel. Greetings from France.
What could I say that hasn't already been said by others? I have been a fan of Noel's work since I first came across his stream and his love for night shooting and abandoned locations. A superb photographer & heck of a nice guy (who is very generous with his in-depth knowledge of many topics), Noel's work has inspire… Read more
What could I say that hasn't already been said by others? I have been a fan of Noel's work since I first came across his stream and his love for night shooting and abandoned locations. A superb photographer & heck of a nice guy (who is very generous with his in-depth knowledge of many topics), Noel's work has inspired me to try my hand at night photos & light painting as well as seek out abandonments in my own area. He's also one of the few who takes the time to tell you exactly what he likes about your photos. I'm constantly amazed by his work and curious to see what posts next . . . check out his photos & get ready to pick your jaw up off the ground!
Read less" Noel is an exceptional talent, he boldly goes where I am afraid to go.(due to an unreasonable fear of the dark and crawly things) Fortunatley I get to live vicariously through him, thanks to flickr! Keep lighting up the night baby!!!"
i stumbled across noel's work a couple of months ago will looking at light painting groups and let me just say "holycraphole!" he has continually blown me away with his skills and his attention to details. i have been lucky enough to shoot with him in a couple of locations and look forward to shooting with him again. … Read more
i stumbled across noel's work a couple of months ago will looking at light painting groups and let me just say "holycraphole!" he has continually blown me away with his skills and his attention to details. i have been lucky enough to shoot with him in a couple of locations and look forward to shooting with him again. i agree with rob_fuel, noel is one humble fellow with a big heart and some damn fine skills! and oh yeah, Troy who?
Read lessNoel is quite possibly the most modest man on Flickr. Possibly on the entire earth. He has more technical knowledge than most people would know what do with. I admire his ability to scout and plan. His meticulous forethought produces photos that are nothing less than stunning. And I don't know how he does what he does … Read more
Noel is quite possibly the most modest man on Flickr. Possibly on the entire earth. He has more technical knowledge than most people would know what do with. I admire his ability to scout and plan. His meticulous forethought produces photos that are nothing less than stunning. And I don't know how he does what he does so perfectly time after time, but I thank him for it. It always gives me something inspiring to look at when perusing my contacts' photos.
Read lessWow an idol i can look up too when im behind the camera at nightime, Noel has some of the best night shots i've ever laid my eyes upon. I can always expect awesome colors, and great exposures. Keep bring these quality images that i've been seeing.
Its cool to see this neck of the woods -Texas that is, explored and photographed with Noel's knack for colorful lighting and perfect composition. He truly captures the essence of those ghost towns and long by passed locations in a wonderful, dramatic way.
Flickr means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For me it's about sharing, learning, teaching and community. In addition to sharing those views with me Noel is also an incredibly talented photographer. I had the chance to do some light painting with him where he showed me the ropes. I've since had … Read more
Flickr means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For me it's about sharing, learning, teaching and community. In addition to sharing those views with me Noel is also an incredibly talented photographer. I had the chance to do some light painting with him where he showed me the ropes. I've since had the opportunity to not only do some light painting myself, but I have also passed on what he taught me. One last thing... Noel is very humble. And in my opinion he is the most talented light painting photographers I have ever known.
Read lessThe first time i saw Noel's flickr I was blown away. To see how quickly he develops his skills is insane. He makes me want to go to America's biggest country, Texas, and do some sight seeing. Check out all of Noel's night photos. look out LostAmerica. haha
I'm rather new to Noel's photo stream and I have to say "WOW!" and "What an amazing Photographer!" Noel not only posses a great photographic eye but you get a sense that he truly understands composure and lighting. Without getting too sappy - I'm inspired to do better after looking over his photos. He is the real deal.