Tales from the Fortieth Parallel: The First Picture
For about six years, I kept the idea of this project under wraps. I shared it with a few friends, but wanted to make a picture before spreading the word. During this time, I thought about the project, poured over maps, watched GPS prices fall, and generally obsessed about the idea of making the first trip to landfall in New Jersey. In September of 1998 everything came together: I had some extra money from a freelance job, I bought the GPS I wanted, rented a car, and headed to the Jersey Shore to make my first picture on the Fortieth Parallel.
I got to the location just before sunset. To my delight, the confluence was at the end of Fourth Street, where there just happened to be public access to the beach. In the end, I set up on the boardwalk and ended up meeting the woman that owns the house to the left in the photograph. I was so incredibly happy to have made my first picture and that the project had finally started.
I packed up my gear, got back in the car, and started looking for a hotel nearby because I wanted to come back in morning light to see if I wanted to make another exposure. I was thrilled and not paying attention to how fast I was driving when a police car passed me going the opposite direction. I looked in my mirror to see him turn on his lights and make a quick u-turn. When I looked down at my speedometer, I realized that he was coming after me.
As he asked for my paperwork, I started telling him all about the confluence and how I had just driven from Boston to make a picture there. I must have been talking very fast as he asked if I had been drinking. No, I replied, just excited. He nodded and walked back to his car. A few minutes later, he came back and gave me my license, registration, and a warning to slow down. Then he asked me to tell him about the 40th Parallel and why I wanted to photograph it. I happily complied. Below is the first picture.
N 40° 00’ 00” W 74° 03’ 32” Normandy Beach, New Jersey, 1998
I feel the same sense of excitement every time I make a picture. Thank you for helping me feel that way again!
Next Up – Some rain, some cows, and some mud.
205
Backers
$17,860
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jun 5, 2012 -
Jul 14, 2012
- First created · 10 backed
- Bruce Myren 949 friends
- Website: brucemyren.com
Pledge $10 or more
17 backers
THANK YOU POSTCARD— Everyone will get a postcard of the Fortieth Parallel map like the one that is featured to the left. Additionally, your name will be listed on my website with my deepest thanks. Every little bit helps to make this project a success, please share with your friends!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
47 backers
POSTCARD FROM THE ROAD — I will send you a personalized postcard from some interesting place while on the road. You will also be listed on my website with my deepest thanks.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $40 or more
21 backers
PRODUCTION PHOTO POSTCARD — I will send you a postcard created from a production photo at one of the locations. You will also be listed on my website with my deepest thanks.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $80 or more
37 backers
3” x 10” PRINT from the PROJECT — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $120 or more
29 backers
4” x 15” PRINT from the PROJECT — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $200 or more
11 backers
5” x 18.75” PRINT from the PROJECT — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $400 or more
4 backers
6” x 22.5” PRINT & optional VIDEO CHAT from a LOCATION — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $600 or more
3 backers Limited (9 of 12 left)
7.5” x 28” PRINT & optional VIDEO CHAT from a LOCATION — Limited Edition of 12 — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $800 or more
2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)
9” x 34” PRINT & optional VIDEO CHAT from a LOCATION — Limited Edition of 10 — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $1,200 or more
1 backer Limited (7 of 8 left)
12” x 45” PRINT & optional VIDEO CHAT from a LOCATION — Limited Edition of 8 — Choose an image from any location in the project, already made or not yet visited. For more details, see bottom of project description to the left. Also includes website thank you and a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers
A PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPH at a LOCATION of YOUR CHOICE — I will come to your home, business, or any place that has meaning to you and create a panoramic photograph. Print size is also your choice up to 16" x 60". For locations more than a 4 hour drive from Cambridge, MA, or an already planned trip, travel expenses are not included and would be additional. Includes a huge website thank you and at least a postcard.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013
Comments
Creator Mark Rice on June 18, 2012
Nice story, Bruce.