Dan Piech's Concrete Canvas series captures the accidental beauty that serendipitously occurs when the concrete beneath New Yorkers' feet is inadvertently graced by spilled paint, fallen debris, expanding cracks, chemical stains, and other delightful visual elements. An avid runner, Piech has spent over three years traversing every single Manhattan street in search of these overlooked "artworks" that have become part of the fabric of the city.

As the founder of the VAST artist collective, Piech uses advanced imaging techniques and equipment to create unprecedented gigapixel-quality photographs that capture every intricate detail of these ephemeral designs. The exceptionally high resolution photographs are then printed in large formats, resulting in impeccably precise physical replicas of the walkways.

Each Concrete Canvas piece embodies the unique soul of New York and challenges us to find beauty in the overlooked, the accidental, the minuscule, and the transient.

The majestic Reine Lofoten panorama before us, a testament to the unforgiving yet breathtaking beauty of the Arctic landscape. As I recall the day I captured this image, I'm reminded of the unrelenting challenges that come with photographing in one of the most remote and inhospitable regions.

It was an autumn afternoon in Lofoten, Norway, and I had been planning to capture Reine's bay and harbour in all its glory. With my trusty Nikon D810 and 200mm lens by my side, I set out to create a stunning gigapano that would do justice to this breathtaking location.

But fate had other plans. As the afternoon wore on, disaster struck – my photo head clamp snapped, leaving me staring at a broken piece of metal that threatened to ruin my entire shoot. Panic set in, but I refused to give up. With a few spare parts and some screws hastily acquired from a local hardware store, I improvised a temporary fix, using all my knowledge and experience to get my equipment back up and running. It was far from ideal, but it would have to do.

As the sun began its descent below the horizon, casting an Arctic light across Reine's picturesque bay and harbour, I knew I had to push through the adversity. The soft, diffused light of the cloudy day was slowly giving way to the warm glow of the village lights, adding a touch of magic to the scene. And then, it happened – the light, the composition, the moment all came together in perfect harmony. - this gigapano is more than just a photograph; it's a testament to perseverance, creativity.

This unique panorama offers an unparalleled view of Reine Lofoten's rugged beauty, with every detail meticulously captured across hundreds of individual frames. The result is an immersive experience that transports the viewer directly into the heart of this Arctic wonderland. Standing before this image, you can almost feel the tranquility of this untouched corner of our planet.

It was a biting cold morning when I set out to capture Reine's bay and harbour in all its glory. The Nikon D810 with a 200mm lens was my trusted companion, but even it struggled against the relentless Arctic wind and icy temperatures. I had to battle against frozen fingers, numb toes, and the ever-present threat of equipment failure as I worked tirelessly to stitch together this staggering gigapano.
As the icy grip of dawn enveloped Reine in Lofoten, Norway, the landscape emerged in ethereal beauty. Captured in a giga panoramic image, this scene unfolds against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks illuminated by the delicate hues of the Arctic dawn.
Despite the biting cold and fierce winds, each frame of this breathtaking panorama immortalizes the tranquility of morning's arrival in this rugged yet enchanting corner of the world.

La Basilica Papale di San Pietro (Papal Basilica of Saint Peter) is the largest Catholic church in the world. Emperor Constantine I wanted to honor Saint Peter’s martyrdom by building a church on the site of his tomb. The old St. Peter’s Basilica stood from the 4th to 16th centuries while the “new” St. Peter’s Basilica as seen today was built between 1506 and 1615. The principal architect of St. Peter’s was Donato Bramante. Michelangelo designed St. Peter’s Dome and is well-known for painting the Sistine Chapel. Carlo Maderno worked to design the nave and façade. The piazza and colonnade in front of St. Peter’s Church was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Baroque style church is one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance architecture.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world nestled within Rome, Italy, and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s only fitting they designed St. Peter’s to be the largest church of the Catholic faith. Built from travertine stone, St Peter’s Basilica stands over 450 feet tall and is over 730 feet long. Its dome is the tallest in the world and the church can hold up to 60,000 people. Size isn’t the only thing that sets it apart. The opulence is overwhelming. There is more of everything: 5 organs, 10 chapels, 44 altars, and more than 400 statues. Intricate carvings and mosaics are everywhere. Thirteen statues line the façade, with Christ the Redeemer flanked by Saint John the Baptist and Saint Andrew at the center. One of the most visually striking things to me is the interior floor and different types of marble found throughout. It’s filled with the common white marble sourced from Italy, but also has an abundance of green, yellow, red, and blue-colored marble that came from distant parts of Italy and the ancient Roman Empire.

Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica attracts millions of visitors per year and is one of the top sights to visit in Rome. Ponte Sant’Angelo is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Tiber and was built nearly 2000 years ago. It was given new life in the 17th Century when Bernini was commissioned to sculpt 10 angels, each carrying an emblem of Jesus’ death and suffering. This VAST Photo was made by stitching 18 images together. Each of those are comprised of 2-3 blended exposures to capture details in both bright and dark areas. The result allows for large format fine art photographic prints of the Vatican to view in detail at a close distance.

I shot this during a family trip to Rome, in November 2023. I had this image in mind if an opportunity arose without interrupting the family flow of the trip. It happened one afternoon that ended earlier than expected for our sight-seeing. Less than half an hour before sunset, I could tell it was going to be a beautiful sunset and knew it was now or never. I rented an electric bike, rode like the wind, and arrived to set up my gear right as the colors were turning. It was very satisfying to execute my planned image between the weather, and by squeezing it into some down-time without major disruption to our family trip.

It’s a straightforward panoramic photo, simply showing the grandeur of the historic St. Angelo Bridge and St. Peter’s Dome with the vibrant sunset and reflection in the River Tiber. This high-resolution photo of St. Peter’s Basilica at Sunset can be printed on a much larger scale than a standard fine art photo of St. Peter’s Basilica found elsewhere. The breathtaking sculptures along St. Angelo’s Bridge can be viewed up close to see Bernini’s work. It isn’t always the case when weather and timing work out to make a pre-visualized image materialize. When it does, it’s pure magic.

Mount Spry, a seemingly diminutive peak at 5,720 feet, rises proudly within the majestic confines of Zion National Park, crafted from the timeless Navajo Sandstone. In the fleeting moments of dusk, I seized the opportunity to capture its essence in this expansive photograph. As the day's final light waned and a cloudless sky loomed above, uncertainty loitered in my mind, casting doubt on the potential for a remarkable image.

Yet, amidst this seeming simplicity, a delicate equilibrium emerged. The soft hues of the evening sky gracefully intermingled with a subtle hint of color, harmonizing with the warm glow illuminating the pinnacle of Mount Spry. Here, the play of light and shadow transforms the landscape, casting a gentle radiance upon the surrounding red sandstone, infusing the scene with an ethereal aura.

In this composition, I sought to encapsulate not only the physical beauty of Mount Spry but also its transient nature, capturing a fleeting moment of tranquility and splendor. It is within this delicate balance, this interplay of light and form, that the true essence of Mount Spry reveals itself, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its timeless allure.

Nestled in the tranquil solitude of Kolob Canyons, this captivating photograph captures the serene beauty that emerges amidst the winter calm of Zion National Park. As visitors traverse the picturesque five-mile Kolob Canyons Road, they are greeted by the awe-inspiring spectacle of crimson-hued canyons, towering peaks, and sheer cliff walls that define this corner of the Colorado Plateau.

In contrast to the bustling crowds that often characterize Zion, the winter season offers a unique opportunity to experience solitude and tranquility amidst nature's grandeur. This late afternoon VAST photograph, taken as the day's final light delicately illuminates the landscape, showcases a mesmerizing scene of snow-covered terrain set against the striking backdrop of red sandstone formations.

What sets this image apart is its portrayal of a fleeting moment of transformation: storm clouds parting to reveal a sky tinged with hues of twilight, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape. The pristine white snow creates a stark yet harmonious contrast against the rich hues of the sandstone, resulting in a composition that exudes both tranquility and dramatic beauty.

In this photograph, the convergence of natural elements - the interplay of light and shadow, the juxtaposition of snow and stone - invites viewers to immerse themselves in the sublime majesty of Kolob Canyons during its winter slumber, offering a glimpse into the timeless allure of Zion National Park.

At the culmination of the Canyon Overlook Trail lies a spot that holds a special place in my heart, particularly for witnessing the break of dawn. Despite the chilly grasp of winter mornings and the journey required to reach this point, solitude is a rare companion here – and for good reason.

Captured amidst the serene beauty of Zion National Park, this expansive photograph encapsulates a moment from one such frigid winter day. As the sun ascended behind us, its rays painted the snow-clad peaks in front with hues of warm reds and yellows, while the lingering darkness cast large shadows upon the lower sandstone formations.

Centered in the frame stands the Tower of the Virgin, a prominent figure among the towering sandstone monoliths adorning the western expanse of Zion Canyon. In this scene, the snow-draped peaks of The Sundial, The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice, Bee Hive, and The Sentinel awaken under the gentle embrace of early morning light, each offering a unique silhouette against the canvas of dawn. This image not only captures the grandeur of nature's architecture but also preserves a moment of quiet splendor that defines the timeless allure of Zion National Park.

As you ascend the switchbacks along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park, a breathtaking vista unfolds before you: the majestic Great Arch. One stands witness to a geological marvel in the making—the arch, still in its nascent stages, emerges as a testament to the enduring forces of wind and water sculpting the sandstone landscape.

Capturing this moment in time holds a unique allure. In a single frame, we glimpse the ongoing evolution of this natural wonder. Millennia from now, this half-formed arch will stand as a towering testament to the passage of time, shaped by the relentless forces of nature.

The photograph, taken during the tranquil late afternoon, bathes the scene in a soft, ethereal light. Yet, the play of shadows emphasizes the rugged grandeur of the landscape, casting a dramatic contrast against the sandstone backdrop. Upon closer inspection, the tiny figures of hikers atop the mountain lend a sense of scale, highlighting the immensity of the geological formations.

In this image lies not just a snapshot of a moment, but a profound meditation on the dynamic interplay of time and nature—a timeless tableau captured for eternity.

This particular morning, I was graced with the fleeting spectacle of a double rainbow, a reward for the early start and patient wait. Capturing this phenomenon presented unique challenges, particularly because I was committed to creating a multi-image, high resolution panorama with a long exposure that would smooth out the ocean waters. The inherent difficulty lay in the transitory nature of rainbows and the rapidly changing light conditions of dawn.

I had to meticulously calculate the exposure time to ensure that the rainbows were captured in all their vibrant hues without overexposing the emerging daylight. Each frame of the panorama had to be taken with precision and consistency to stitch the images seamlessly. The use of long exposure will often create a more dream like image, but any change in the wind could have introduced motion that would blur the panorama's intricate details.

Balancing the camera on a sturdy tripod, I had to remain vigilant, ready to adjust the settings at a moment's notice as the early morning light evolved. The result, I believe, speaks for itself with a harmonious blend of skill and natural beauty, encapsulated in a moment where time seems to stand still.

I could start and stop by saying "the majestic Oregon coast" and that would be a complete and accurate statement. This view is from Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, Oregon which is a cute small tourist town on the north Oregon coast. The beach is wide and long and almost everyone stays on the beach or roams the many stores. On the north side of town there is a small road that leads up to Ecola State Park. This view is from one of the trails that works its way through the forest. I've been on the trails many times and have had it mostly to myself.

I could start and stop by saying "the majestic Oregon coast" and that would be a complete and accurate statement. This view is from Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, Oregon which is a cute small tourist town on the north Oregon coast. The beach is wide and long and almost everyone stays on the beach or roams the many stores. On the north side of town there is a small road that leads up to Ecola State Park. This view is from one of the trails that works its way through the forest. I've been on the trails many times and have had it mostly to myself.

Navajo Mountain stands as a majestic testament to geological history, rising proudly as a freestanding laccolith, its dome-shaped form crafted by igneous rock intrusions that upheaved sedimentary layers. Enveloped in layers of sediment, the core of this mountain reveals the intricate dance of geological forces sculpted by millennia of erosion.

At an elevation of approximately 10,388 feet (3,166 m), Navajo Mountain's peak is adorned with Dakota Sandstone, a relic of the Cretaceous Period, dating back 66-138 million years. But beyond its geological grandeur, Navajo Mountain holds profound cultural significance for the Navajo people, known to them as Naatsisaan, or "Earth Head" and "Pollen Mountain." It serves as a cornerstone in the rich tapestry of Navajo origin stories, intimately intertwined with the sacred landscape of their heritage.

In the wake of historical upheavals, including the military conflicts of the 19th century and subsequent political transformations, the Navajo Nation continues to assert its sovereignty over this cherished land. Despite the encroachment of modernity, with landmarks like Rainbow Bridge National Monument and Lake Powell altering the physical landscape, Navajo Mountain remains a symbol of resilience and cultural preservation.

Captured on a crisp late winter afternoon, my photograph encapsulates the timeless allure of Navajo Mountain. Against a backdrop of stormy skies, the mountain stands cloaked in snow, while shards of sunlight dance across the desert landscape, casting an ethereal glow. The juxtaposition of the rugged terrain and the towering butte bathed in golden light evokes a sense of timelessness, inviting viewers to ponder the enduring legacy of this sacred land and imagine the vistas witnessed by generations past. In this image, I sought to convey not just the physical beauty of Navajo Mountain, but also the spiritual connection it embodies for the Navajo people—a connection that transcends time and space, resonating with the soul of the land.

This was the third attempt at capturing this incredible skyline view of New York City from the New Jersey side. On the other attempts it was either too cloudy or raining, the Hudson was too choppy or the wind was too strong creating camera shake which can ruin the panorama as one blurred image in the 120 that make this image up can ruin the whole thing. Eventually I got the right weather and conditions to capture this stunning view.

Undoubtedly the best view of the incredible Chicago skyline as seen from the grounds of the Alder Planetarium. This was the third attempt at capturing this as the weather each other time was fiercely cold, windy and rainy so on the third attempt, I was extremely lucky to get a break in the weather . The expansive view shows the Chicago Aquarium all the way to Navy Pier.

Undoubtedly the best view of the incredible Chicago skyline as seen from the grounds of the Alder Planetarium. This was the third attempt at capturing this as the weather each other time was fiercely cold, windy and rainy so on the third attempt, I was extremely lucky to get a break in the weather . The expansive view shows the Chicago Aquarium all the way to Navy Pier.