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A close-up of "U.S. Capitol Building & Reflecting Pool in Early Spring Twilight B&W: Cropped" by Tim Lo Monaco: an ultra-high-resolution VAST photo.
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816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
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Tim Lo Monaco

U.S. Capitol Building & Reflecting Pool in Early Spring Twilight B&W: Cropped

816 MEGAPIXELS

816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.

This photo is 3,790% higher resolution than a typical photo.

Scroll to learn more.

U.S. Capitol Building & Reflecting Pool in Early Spring Twilight B&W: Cropped

816 MEGAPIXEL VAST PHOTO

This photo is
3,790% higher resolution
than a typical photo.

Scroll to learn more.

U.S. Capitol Building & Reflecting Pool in Early Spring Twilight B&W: Cropped

816 MEGAPIXEL VAST PHOTO
Washington, D.C.

The United States Capitol Building, home of the United States Congress and legislative branch of the federal government. With its distinctive neoclassical style architecture, it was originally completed in 1800. It has been expanded over time with the Capitol Dome and completed in 1863 after being adorned by the Statue of Freedom that sits atop the dome. Arguably the most recognizable building in the United States, the U.S. Capitol Building attracts millions of visitors per year. The Capitol Reflecting Pool, six acres in size, was completed in 1971. At the eastern end of the National Mall, it occupies the area called Union Square, and includes the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

This VAST Photo was created by stitching 70 input images from my high-resolution camera. I took a single exposure for each of the sky-only images. The other input images are comprised of two bracketed exposures to capture details in both bright and dark areas. Each input-image with foreground (trees/Grant Statue) and background (Capitol Building) is also comprised of two focus-stacked images. The result allows for ultra-high resolution large format fine art photographic prints of the U.S. Capitol Building to view in detail at a close distance.

I’ve wanted to capture the U.S. Capitol Building from this direction (looking east) both at night and at sunrise with a perfect reflection in the Capitol Reflecting Pool for a long time. It’s proven to be quite a challenge. I’ve made many an early morning visit with the hopes to have the components I envisioned all come together and it has eluded me. Weather conditions aside, for years the Capitol has undergone restoration with scaffolding installed. It was during a window around a presidential inauguration wherein all scaffolding was removed that I was able to capture this photo. Finally came a morning with low forecasted winds, so I decided to start a day primarily dedicated to capturing photos of the Cherry Blossoms in peak bloom with a sunrise-shot at the Capitol. I arrived elated this calm morning at 4 AM to a see a still-reflecting pool and started my series of images to take a twilight photo and a sunrise photo after. Regrettably I didn’t start with the fickle reflection and by the time I made it to those series of images, the sun had almost finished rising, and geese were flapping around in the reflecting pool itself, so 0 for 2 that morning.

After extensively berating myself for underestimating the time it’d take and missing my chance at the still reflection, I continued my day. I took a series of images of the Cherry Blossoms with the failed Capitol Reflecting Pool photo in the back of mind. I knew I’d have to come back some other time, set up in the exact same spot and try my best to get the reflection images. I couldn’t give up this effort. I’d have to check the forecasts religiously to figure out when to go back and capture that reflection. It just so happened that the next night as I lay in bed about to go to sleep, I checked the weather app on my phone…no wind for the next hour or so before an upcoming storm. I literally jumped out of bed and told my wife that I HAD to do this and off I went. This time I made sure to start with the Capitol Dome reflection. It was trial and error because even with the still reflection (as calm as I’ve ever seen the Capitol Reflecting Pool), there was still movement because of the long exposures. Eventually I cranked up the ISO to shorten the exposure time and took a series of shots of the dome. After knowing I “got the dome”, I started my proper stitch series starting from the bottom of the reflection. The wind picked up, disturbing the water in the other reflection shots but I forged on. I figured I’d redo the entire series since the light was so different than day one. However, by the time I got to the building images, it was so windy that I couldn’t capture a single image without motion-blur, even with my solid tripod setup. It then proceeded to poor rain, so I called it a night.

I still went home feeling utterly redeemed that I captured a great reflection. I knew both that it was going to be a nightmare to process, and that somehow, I’d figure it out. Months later I was able to sit down and dedicate the embarrassing amount of time I needed to put this all together. Like my Union Station Main Hall image, focus-stacked images of architecture create parallax and therefore make it extremely cumbersome to “stitch” together. I often-times get caught up with the technical aspects to capture a challenging scene like this. Now that I’m finished, I can look back and enjoy the view that inspired me to put in the many hours to get this photo in the first place. Literally every time I go there, I’m in awe of the sheer size and grandeur of the U.S. Capitol Building. The reflecting pool is at its calmest at night and there are little-to-no people, providing a serene experience. It is a rare treat to see this grand building and its reflection with no wind and calm waters. I can only imagine the vision and collaborated efforts needed to realize the creation of this reverent monument.

Date & TimeMarch 30, 2021 - March 31, 2021:  4:12am - 4:55am, 9:02pm - 10:25pm
LocationWashington, D.C.
Coordinates38.889718, -77.014353
Focal Length200mm
Aperturef/4 - f/11
Shutter1/80 sec - 15 sec
ISO250 - 25600
Num of Exposures70

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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.

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

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Certificate of authenticity  
with artist signature
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Mounting brace floats the display
off the wall by 3/4 inch
Metal back
816 megapixels! A very high resolution, large-format black & white photo print of the U.S. Capitol Building; fine art photograph created by Tim Lo Monaco on the United States Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
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)

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

Width34,988 px
Height23,325 px
Aspect Ratio1.5 : 1
Date & TimeMarch 30, 2021 - March 31, 2021:  4:12am - 4:55am, 9:02pm - 10:25pm
LocationWashington, D.C.
Coordinates38.889718, -77.014353
Focal Length200mm
Aperturef/4 - f/11
Shutter1/80 sec - 15 sec
ISO250 - 25600
Num of Exposures70

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 < 12x8 in
  • Use on webpages at sizes smaller than full‑screen
  • Wallpapers for devices with low‑resolution screens
medium
10 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 13x9 in
  • Marketing prints < 26x17 in
  • Use on webpages at full‑screen sizes
  • Wallpapers for devices with high‑resolution screens
large
50 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 29x19 in
  • Marketing prints < 58x38 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 16 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 32 ft
huge
250 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 65x43 in
  • Marketing prints < 129x86 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 7 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 14 ft
full file
816 megapixels
  • Fine art prints < 117x78 in
  • Marketing prints < 233x156 in
  • Large murals viewed from > 4 ft
  • Massive murals viewed from > 8 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 < 12x8 in less than
full-screen use
low-resolution
screens
medium
10 megapixels
< 13x9 in < 26x17 in full-screen use high-resolution
screens
large
50 megapixels
< 29x19 in < 58x38 in if viewers will be
> 16 ft away
if viewers will be
> 32 ft away
huge
250 megapixels
< 65x43 in < 129x86 in if viewers will be
> 7 ft away
if viewers will be
> 14 ft away
full file
816 megapixels
< 117x78 in < 233x156 in if viewers will be
> 4 ft away
if viewers will be
> 8 ft away
Photo id: 11151