
At the height of summer, if the conditions are right, Lower Manhattan's west-facing skyline perfectly reflects the setting sun. In these moments, the financial capital of the world radiates with a beautiful golden hue.
On the 2016 summer solstice, I traveled across the Hudson River to Jersey City with the goal of capturing this phenomenon. The western horizon was thick with humidity, leading to the possibility of a spectacularly saturated sunset, a requisite element for a great reflection.
The sun dipped low on the horizon and the western sky shone its brightly golden hues onto the Manhattan facades. Meanwhile, the eastern sky behind Manhattan remained a beautiful blue, providing a perfectly contrasting backdrop to the skyline.
Knowing how little time there was before the brightness of the reflection would dwindle, I quickly operated my gimbal camera equipment, exposing the 98 photos that would later be stitched together to create this VAST photo.
At 1,349 megapixels, the image has numerous details to explore. Close inspection reveals parties on the yachts in the harbor - the same yachts and harbor featured in countless films that portray Wall Street luxury. Aiding the composition of the photo is a striking symmetry in the sky, with all of the leading lines and weight of the photo directing your attention to One World Trade Center.
Personally, my favorite detail is 3 World Trade Center actively under construction, representing new growth and the ever-progressing nature of the New York skyline.
Date & Time | June 20, 2016: 8:07pm |
Location | Downtown Manhattan, New York City |
Coordinates | 40.715990, -74.031400 |
Focal Length | 188mm |
Aperture | f/5 |
Shutter Speed | 1/100 |
ISO | 100 |
Number of Exposures | 98 |
VAST photos are the highest resolution photos ever made.
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Our photographic prints are available in one of two finishes: glossy and lustre. Glossy prints have a rich, silky saturation and are great for environments where the lighting and reflections have been carefully thought through. Lustre prints have a bright, sparkle-like finish that diffuses reflections and are therefore more versatile for environments where the lighting and reflections are less under your control.
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Total Pixels | 1,349,479,176 |
Horizontal Pixels | 51,951 |
Vertical Pixels | 25,976 |
Aspect Ratio | 2 : 1 |
File Size | 7,711 MB |
Width @ 300ppi (perfect) | 14.43 feet |
Height @ 300ppi | 7.22 feet |
Width @ 150ppi (near-perfect) | 28.86 feet |
Height @ 150ppi | 14.43 feet |
Date & Time | June 20, 2016: 8:07pm |
Location | Downtown Manhattan, New York City |
Coordinates | 40.715990, -74.031400 |
Focal Length | 188mm |
Aperture | f/5 |
Shutter Speed | 1/100 |
ISO | 100 |
Number of Exposures | 98 |
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