video transcript

STORY: The video sequence is called 'Finding Oregon' and that is what photographers Ben Canales, Steve Engman, John Waller, and Blake Johnson set out to do during what they describe as an 'intense road trip of discovery'. The team travelled a distance of 1600 mile (2500km) through the state in just one week, setting up their cameras along the way to capture the pristine beauty of locations unspoiled by light pollution associated with cities. The team say their biggest challenge was timing. To capture images of a star-filled night sky, the photographers needed to work during a new moon phase, so the moon wouldn't outshine the stars. The window of opportunity is open for only five days per month. Their next obstacle was the weather. The North-west of the United States is known for cloudy, wet weather. The team say that only in the summer months do the clouds clear, to provide opportunities for shooting the stars. The video depicts the diversity of Oregon's stunning landscapes. The team set up their cameras in the mountains as well as the rugged coastline, river basins and deserts in between. The expedition was funded and equipped by Pro Photography Supply of Oregon and Columbia Sportswear. John Waller says that most of the images depicted in the video were shot during the road trip, but that additional images were added before the final version of the movie was completed. An original music soundtrack was composed by Michael Nelson Rizzo. Waller adds that while 'Finding Oregon' depicts the diversity in his home state, he believes there are still many discoveries to be had in Oregon and that his team intends to continue exploring.