Artist: Steve Leonard

Steve Leonard is a Canadian astrophotographer based in Toronto who has been capturing stunning images of the night sky since 2021. His work has been featured in notable publications such as Astronomy, Sky and Telescope, BBC Sky at Night, Astronomy Now, and the Journal of the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society.

What sets Steve apart from many astrophotographers is his dedication to imaging from urban environments, where light pollution poses significant challenges. He embraces this difficulty, pushing both his equipment and processing skills to their limits to create high-quality images. His primary focus is on deep sky imaging, particularly nebulae, and he utilizes 3 nm narrowband filters to effectively cut through the bright city lights.

With a background in engineering, physics, and invention, Steve meticulously builds and customizes his imaging rig, fully understanding the capabilities and limitations of each component. This expertise allows him to achieve expert-level results even with mid-range equipment. He also enjoys the creative side of astrophotography, where the fusion of science and artistry plays a crucial role in shaping each image.

In addition to his astrophotography pursuits, Steve supports startups in their commercialization efforts, particularly in developing their intellectual property. You can find his images also on Instagram under the handle urban.astrophotography.