Here’s how you can make a map inspired by the glorious collaboration of geologist Marie Tharp and landscape painter Heinrich Berann. We’ll use ArcGIS Pro (injected with a special terrain toolbox provided by cartographer, author, and public figure Ken Field), its amazing raster functions and blend modes, and luscious bathymetry data from GEBCO.
Let’s dive in!
0:00 a brief history
1:00 trippy 3D and multiple light sources
1:34 scooping up some bathymetry from GEBCO
1:59 Ken’s terrain tools
2:21 adding the terrain tools to ArcGIS Pro
2:39 assigning a projected coordinate system
3:51 creating a planimetric oblique perspective
4:50 hillshade sorcery
5:30 generalized hillshade with color
7:16 blending hillshade for realism
7:43 hypsometric tinting for illusion of depth
8:05 sandy highlights
9:02 roughing up some realism with paper texture
9:38 layout
10:05 hacking in some land
…
I found my copy of the 1969 National Geographic map in the tiny little “bookstore” section of a local theater. During the lockdowns they couldn’t put on shows, so they covered their walls with bookshelves and started selling used books for next to nothing. Brighter days brought a reopening but thankfully the bookselling component of the theater remained.
Danielle and I were there last year for our 24th date-iversary (we got married on my birthday, so we celebrate on the anniversary of our first date) to see, coincidentally, Roy Bookbinder play. Roy is an amazing performer and storyteller, by the way (it was mostly storytelling set to Roy’s guitar picking, but there was a song or two in there).
During intermission I was browsing the bookshelf and of course headed right to a small section labeled, “maps.” There I found this National Geographic fold-out map insert and couldn’t believe my good fortune.
I assumed it would be some reasonably painful price so I was astonished to hear, “That’s a map? That’ll be $2, please.” I asked if they were sure they didn’t want more (but I didn’t push too hard of course, just enough to appease my conscience). It was two of the better dollars I’ve ever spent. Now it sits folded in the wooden wine crate-turned-bookshelf nailed to the wall behind me in the office. I bring it out every now and then if I want to be inspired. And I’m happy to share a bit of that inspiration here, with you.
As a dad to some amazing girls, I take inspiration from Marie Tharp. I hope to brew a similar form of confident resolve in their hearts. Of course I don’t want them to face insult or adversity, but I also sort of do. And I want courage of conviction to give them guts, however strongly the inertia of consensus might push against them.
Love, John
P.S. Give this a go, it’s a lot of fun. And feel free to change the recipe, shake things up. Play with the blends, the colors, the angles. Here’s another map made in Pro, this one smaller scale, of the North Atlantic
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