
Between the Cévennes Mountains to the north and Montpellier to the south, Pic Saint-Loup (658 meters / 2,158 feet above sea level, left) and the neighboring Montagne de l’Hortus (right) rise majestically over the landscape in the Languedoc wine region of France. This beautiful, rugged landscape is quite dramatic with garrigue like scrubland dominated by these two distinctive peaks. Seeing this area in the changing light of dawn as the sun rises over the fruity vineyards leaves one yearning for sitting at a cafe in a nearby village sipping wine on a summer afternoon.
Languedoc is one of the most geologically diverse landscapes in France, and Pic Saint-Loup sits at the major transition zone of this geological diversity. The Pic’s climate is noticeably cooler than many other Languedoc wine growing regions because it is the point the coastal plain transitions to the higher, inland plateau. This combined with the local limestone soil allow grapes and, therefore, wines to retain higher levels of acidity and fruit freshness than those produced in the warmer areas of the Languedocian plains. There is also a range of different microclimates here, making it possible to produce different types of wines on the different facing slopes. The growers plant the sun-loving grapes for producing red wines on the south-facing slopes and the more temperate-loving varietals for producing white and rosé wines on the north-facing slopes. These advantages make Pic Saint-Loup a leading Languedoc wine region.
In this VAST image, I wanted to again show the link between the environment and human activity. The rows in the vineyards below lead to the slopes of the mountains above. It is this transition, this interaction between humans and geography, that is responsible for producing one of the world’s most beloved wines.
Date & Time | September 24, 2019: 7:27am - 7:40am |
Location | Pic Saint-Loup, Valflaunès, l'Hérault, France |
Coordinates | 43.790638, 3.852206 |
Focal Length | 45mm |
Aperture | f/16 |
Shutter | 1 sec, 4 sec |
ISO | 100 |
Num of Exposures | 18 |
VAST photos are the highest resolution photos ever made.
Learn more
Our ready-to-hang canvas prints are created using a specialty printer that carefully lays pigment inks down onto archival-quality fine art canvas material. The canvas is then stretched around a 1.5-inch-deep wood support structure to provide depth and elegance. Our canvas material has a delightfully matte finish that looks spectacular in any lighting conditions while retaining maximum vibrancy and contrast. Click here to learn more.
A VAST Print™ represents the pinnacle of the photographic medium. Each print is a true photograph created specifically for you using light-sensitive paper exposed in a darkroom with the industry's highest precision exposure technique. Your print is then sealed with a shine-enhancing protective glossy coating*, adhered to a sturdy aluminum composite backing, and finished in one of two ready-to-hang formats:
*Note: a non-glossy, satin matte coating is alternatively available on request.
Due to their record-setting resolutions, VAST photos are the most versatile images ever created, with the quality necessary to look great at any size and in any project. Purchasing one of our standard royalty-free licenses provides you with the digital file at your choice of resolution and a permit to use it for most types of projects. Click here to learn more.
For a premium license that gives exclusivity, glass-related use in North America, or use in merchandise for sale, contact us.
Total Pixels | 399,115,857 px |
Width | 37,437 px |
Height | 10,661 px |
Aspect Ratio | 3.51 : 1 |
Date & Time | September 24, 2019: 7:27am - 7:40am |
Location | Pic Saint-Loup, Valflaunès, l'Hérault, France |
Coordinates | 43.790638, 3.852206 |
Focal Length | 45mm |
Aperture | f/16 |
Shutter | 1 sec, 4 sec |
ISO | 100 |
Num of Exposures | 18 |
Here are some rough guidelines for this specific photo: