Ancient Skies, Ancient Trees

In this exquisite art book, photographer Moon (Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time) returns to the subject of trees, this time photographing nature's towers amid the night sky and in color. After learning about two scientific studies connecting tree growth and the shape and size of buds to the starry skies, Moon was inspired to travel to multiple locations around the world to capture trees with the night sky as the backdrop. The resulting images show awe-inspiring Tolkienian landscapes photographed in such sharp detail that when reproduced on the page they have the texture of oil paintings. Readers will savor the first two sections, which feature sequoias, junipers, pines, and Joshua trees from national parks in the U.S. and chestnuts and oaks in England. Trees photographed in Italy, Namibia, and Botswana appear to be surreal creations rather than plant life. Captions for each photo are compiled in the final section along with details about the light conditions and photography process for each location. Separating the captions works well; nothing distracts from the photographs, and readers will be anxious to learn more about the locations and the trees. Essays by Jana Grcevich, an astrophysicist, and Clark Strand, a well-known spiritual writer, deepen readers' understanding of Moon's work. More than an art book for photographers or those interested in nature, Moon's latest book will captivate all. Color photos. (Oct.)