Before reading our current issue of Sophisticated Living, had you ever heard of astro landscape photography? I hadn’t either. 

Our featured astro landscape photographer J. David Levy, who also boasts involvement with The American Jewish Committee and Opera Theatre of St. Louis, brings this beautiful and striking form of photography to light. The goal is to capture the drama of the night sky through a high-quality image. With a canvas as far as the eye can see, attention to detail becomes important. Taking note of the stars and the symmetry of any featured landscape pull the visual together. Beyond the composition of the images, the necessary equipment for this style of photography is very specific, increasing the challenge of the genre. From certain tripods to special lenses, the attention to detail stretches to infinity and beyond. 

Since astro landscape photography is inspired by the sky, photographers must acknowledge and respect changes in the environment in order to achieve the highest quality photos. Taking into account the position of the moon and the Milky Way, along with the temperature and other uncontrollable factors, adds to the challenge of astro landscape photography. Often impossible to execute in areas with light pollution, astro landscape photographers escape busy cities in exchange for calm, quiet respites. Levy has travelled to Utah, New Mexico and Joshua Tree National Park in the California desert to capture the perfect picture. 

If you haven’t read “Former Businessman Now Focuses on the Night Skies”, subscribe today to get your own copy delivered and to receive our online newsletterhttps://www.sophisticatedstlouis.com/mag/subscribe.