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A close-up of "Skyfire" by Paul Wilson: an ultra-high-resolution VAST photo.
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  • Canvas print
    Printed using archival-quality inks on textured canvas material stretched over wood supports
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    A true photograph created using light-sensitive paper exposed in a darkroom with the industry's highest precision exposure technique and accompanied by the artist signature
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475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.
475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.
475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.
475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • White frame White
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  • Just the paper print Just the paper print
  • Small
    2 megapixels
    JPG
    1,886 x 1,061 px
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    10 megapixels
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    4,216 x 2,372 px
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    50 megapixels
    TIF
    9,428 x 5,303 px
  • Huge
    250 megapixels
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    21,082 x 11,858 px
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    475 megapixels
    TIF
    29,064 x 16,348 px
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Paul Wilson

Skyfire

475 MEGAPIXELS

475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.

This photo is 2,160% higher resolution than a typical photo.

Scroll to learn more.

Skyfire

475 MEGAPIXEL VAST PHOTO

This photo is
2,160% higher resolution
than a typical photo.

Scroll to learn more.

Portrait photo of Paul Wilson, a VAST photographer artist creating very high resolution fine art astrophotographs of the night sky stars and milky way in New Zealand
Paul Wilson

I am thrilled to present "Skyfire," an evocative capture of the Milky Way rising vertically to the East over Lake Heron in New Zealand's Canterbury region.


This panoramic shot, taken last June on a crisp winter night, marks a special moment for me. As the first of June signals the start of winter here in New Zealand, I decided to list this image for sale today to celebrate this transition.


Lake Heron holds a significant place in my photographic journey. It's one of the locations I frequented when I first began astrophotography, before progressing to equatorial tracking mounts, panoramas, and exposure blending. This image represents both a return to my roots and a showcase of how far I've come.


On that cold night, the wind began to stir, causing the reflections in the water to soften. Despite this, I'm immensely satisfied with the outcome. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds can be seen to the right, adding a celestial touch to the scene. The composition captures the pristine beauty of New Zealand's night sky, framed by the tranquil waters of Lake Heron.


To achieve this shot, I used a Canon R5 with a Sigma 40mm lens, mounted on a Fornax Lightrack II equatorial mount. The image is a composite of 25 shots: 10 for the ground and 15 for the sky, each exposed for 55 seconds at f/1.8 with ISO 1600. This meticulous process ensured that both the terrestrial and celestial elements were captured in epic detail.


"Skyfire" is not just a photograph; it's a reflection of my journey and the passion I have for capturing the night sky. I hope it resonates with you as much as it does with me.

Date & TimeJune 10, 2023:  8:10pm
LocationLake Heron, Canterbury, New Zealand
Coordinates-43.480889, 171.157240
Focal Length40mm
Aperturef/1.8
Shutter55 sec
ISO1600
Num of Exposures25

This is not an ordinary photograph.

Its resolution is 2,160% greater than a typical photo. Click on the boxes below to zoom in.

Frank
Washington
A VAST photo of a nature scene hanging in a home.

This photograph from Vast Photos is really great and exceeded our expectations.

09/02/2023

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Canvas print

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.

Produced using a specialty, large-format fine art printer operating at 300ppi resolution—the gold standard for sharpness

Printed onto heavyweight, 100% acid-free fine art canvas to preserve color-accuracy and longevity

Created using materials and methods that exceed the rigorous technical standards required to achieve the prized "giclée" industry rating

Designed to meet the most demanding standards for color-permanence set by leading museums

Handmade by award-winning master printmakers with over 4 decades of experience

Optionally accompanied by your choice of elegant floater frame available in a variety of trims

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VAST Print™

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:

  • Frameless floating display: A hidden mounting brace on the rear gracefully "floats" the print off the wall for a sleek, modern look.
  • Framed display: The print is mounted inside one of our handcrafted 100% wood frames with a decorative separation between the print and the frame so that the print appears to be floating within the frame, providing depth and elegance to the finished photo.

Click here to learn more.

*Note: a non-glossy, satin matte coating is alternatively available on request.

Certificate of authenticity icon for the VAST Prints photography product.
Certificate of authenticity  
with artist signature
affixed to the back

Mounting brace floats the display
off the wall by 3/4 inch
Metal back
475 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format VAST photo print of a beautiful lake at night with the Milky Way in the sky and mountains surrounding the lake; landscape astrophotograph photograph created by Paul Wilson at Lake Heron in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Paper print
Shine-enhancing
protective coating

Laser-exposed at a truly unprecedented 610ppi resolution

Created using fine art paper with a specialty emulsion enabling unsurpassed micro-contrast, ultra-bright whites, and deep blacks

Printed with a chromogenic process that produces "continuous tones" of silky smooth color (other printers use noticeable dots of ink)

Sealed between an extra-thick, shine-enhancing protective coating and a sturdy aluminum composite backing for a sleek look

Award-winning product quality recognized industry-wide

Designed to meet the most demanding standards for color-permanence set by leading museums

Handmade by certified master printmakers with over 4 decades of experience

Hand-signed by the artist and accompanied by our digitally-enhanced, holographic certificate of authenticity

Optionally accompanied by your choice of elegant floater frame available in a variety of trims

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Digital file

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.

Usage in most media formats*
Unlimited number of projects*
Worldwide, perpetual usage*
Not for use in merchandise for sale
Non-exclusive (i.e. we may license the photo to others)
*View the full legal terms here

For a premium license that gives exclusivity, glass-related use in North America, or use in merchandise for sale, contact us.

Width29,064 px
Height16,348 px
Aspect Ratio1.78 : 1
Date & TimeJune 10, 2023:  8:10pm
LocationLake Heron, Canterbury, New Zealand
Coordinates-43.480889, 171.157240
Focal Length40mm
Aperturef/1.8
Shutter55 sec
ISO1600
Num of Exposures25

How much resolution do I need?

Here are some rough guidelines for this specific photo:

small
2 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 6x4 in
  • Marketing prints < 13x7 in
  • Use on webpages at sizes smaller than full‑screen
  • Wallpapers for devices with low‑resolution screens
medium
10 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 14x8 in
  • Marketing prints < 28x16 in
  • Use on webpages at full‑screen sizes
  • Wallpapers for devices with high‑resolution screens
large
50 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 31x18 in
  • Marketing prints < 63x35 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 15 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 29 ft
huge
250 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 70x40 in
  • Marketing prints < 141x79 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 7 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 13 ft
full file
475 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 97x54 in
  • Marketing prints < 194x109 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 5 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 9 ft
Fine art
prints
(300ppi)		 Marketing
prints
(150ppi)		 Large
murals
(~20x8 ft)		 Massive
murals
(~40x16 ft)		 Use on
webpages		 Digital
device
wallpapers
small
2 megapixels
 < 6x4 in < 13x7 in less than
full-screen use		 low-resolution
screens
medium
10 megapixels
 < 14x8 in < 28x16 in full-screen use high-resolution
screens
large
50 megapixels
 < 31x18 in < 63x35 in if viewers will be
> 15 ft away		 if viewers will be
> 29 ft away
huge
250 megapixels
 < 70x40 in < 141x79 in if viewers will be
> 7 ft away		 if viewers will be
> 13 ft away
full file
475 megapixels
 < 97x54 in < 194x109 in if viewers will be
> 5 ft away		 if viewers will be
> 9 ft away

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