Jeremy Likness is an astrophotographer and filmmaker whose work centers on the elusive glow of the night sky: light that has traveled across the vast expanses of space before reaching Earth. Through long exposure, accumulation, and careful calibration, his images reveal nebulae and star fields as places of motion, formation, and silence. He also focuses on how the night transforms familiar landmarks when they are proximal to the Milky Way, touched by cometary visitors or illuminated by the glow of aurora.
Statement
I believe the universe is brimming with breathtaking beauty—from the rugged shores of the Oregon coast to the farthest reaches of the Cosmos. My lens is drawn to nature’s grandeur: I’d rather capture a volcano than a city skyline, a weathered rock formation over modern architecture. My subjects range from massive waves and tide pools to comets, galaxies, and celestial spectacles such as the Northern Lights, total solar eclipses, and the evolving phases of the moon.
My goal isn’t just to recreate light. I strive to evoke the emotional resonance of each moment—the awe, wonder, and quiet intensity that accompanies an encounter with the night sky. I craft most of my pieces entirely in my studio, from stacking and processing to using sublimation to transfer a print onto metal in a heat press.
Every project follows four essential phases:
- 🧭 Planning the moment or celestial event
- 📸 Acquiring data, whether a single 1ms exposure of the moon or 14 hours of imaging using narrowband filters to reveal a faint nebula
- 🖥️ Processing, from calibration and stacking to applying precise algorithms
- 🖼️ Presentation as digital art, print, or cinematic imagery
This structured yet creative journey inspired the name Deep Sky Workflows and led to the launch of DSW Galleries.
In 2020, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). While the disease brings pain and loss, astrophotography gives me calm, peace, and purpose. The diagnosis became a catalyst—motivating me to embrace art fully and create while I still can.
I’m often asked if gazing into the cosmos makes me believe in extraterrestrial life or feel small in the grand scheme of things. It’s usually met with surprise when I say no. My understanding of physics, quantum theory, string theory, biology, and information theory—paired with what I witness through my craft—only deepens my conviction that this vast universe is the work of a Creator. Psalm 139 says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and I believe God’s works are truly marvelous.
Through my art, I hope to make those works more accessible. I want to share the source of my strength and optimism and invite others to see how extraordinary they (themselves) truly are.