VideoThe city that never sleeps.

There’s no place quite like New York City.

The Manhattan Project HD1080P from Cameron Michael on Vimeo.

The post Video: The Manhattan Project appeared first on EcoSalon.

VideoGorgeous timelapse captures the beauty of an urban landscape.

You may have seen Portlandia, but “Finding Portland” by Uncage the Soul Productions shows a completely different side of the city full of burrito carts, bikes and baristas. Over 300,000 images were taken over the course of two months, resulting in almost four minutes of stunning timelapse.

A few behind-the-scenes shot from the video:

More images here.

Image: Ben Canales

The post Video: Finding Portland appeared first on EcoSalon.

A box full of films, books and snacks to keep you entertained all winter long.

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated product assortment known as The Box, is back. We’re offering $500 in eco-goodies for the New Year for just $99 and these won’t last. That’s a guarantee.

Since we’re in the middle of winter, we think the best way to embrace the season is to pack a box full of everything you’ll need for a night in. Warm up with a mug of organic hot chocolate and throw on a DVD; this box is all about keeping you entertained and cozy through the winter months.

(If you do miss out this time around, our friends at Ecorazzi are hosting a giveaway for the last remaining Entertainment Box standing. Head on over to their site and register to win!)

Just look at what we have in store for you this time around:

Vinylux coasters

Make sure to keep your coffee table clean and do it in style by putting your glass on a Vinylux LP coasters. Each coaster is created from an original record, which has been trimmed to frame the label with a thin ring of black vinyl. The coasters are double-sided (as were records) and laminated to protect the labels from moisture and to prevent scuffs on furniture.  Coaster sets are comprised of six assorted vintage record labels, so each set is totally unique.

(Retail value of $20)

23 Feet DVD

A film about a community of people who make the conscious choice to live simply and do what they love in the great outdoors, 23 Feet by Red Reel Video follows the story of three women who set out in their 23-foot, 1970 vintage Airstream and the stories they find along the way as they travel through the West. Bursting with wanderlust and inspiration, 23 Feet gives an intimate look at the ups and downs of dedicating your life to a passion.

(Retail value of $15)

i-Ecko eco-friendly speakers

Portable and convenient to store, these speakers not only fold flat, but they are also made from recycled materials. i-Ecko speakers are universally compatible with all MP3 players, iPods and iPhone 3G, meaning that you can blast your favorite beats no matter where you are.

(Retail value of $14.99)

Tweet This Book

What would Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill had said if they lived in the Twitter age? Full of some of great quotes from across, Tweet This Bookfrom Ulysses Press puts some of the best sayings from literary greats, politicians, musicians and celebrities all in one place, and easily translatable to the digital age.

(Retail value of $10)

Treeverse DVD

We’re big fans of video production company Uncage the Soul. They were the genius behind the stunning timelapse, Finding Oregon that we featured recently on EcoSalon. Treeverse is a complelling documentary that follows arborists Brian French and Will Koomijan as they attempt an unprecedented one kilometer canopy trek through old growth Oregon White Oak forest. The DVD but also features a collection of their other films, including “Finding Oregon,” all sure to get you motivated to get outside and explore the natural world.

(Retail value of $20)

Equal Exchange Hot chocolate

Warm up with a mug of hot cocoa from Equal Exchange. There are Plenty of reasons to love this stuff. The organic cocoa is sourced from small-scale farmers in the Dominican Republic, the organic sugar is fairly traded from farmer co-operatives in Paraguay, and the organic milk powder comes from U.S. dairy co-operatives, so you can fill good drinking a cup. Or two.

(Retail value of $7.75)

1 year Sierra magazine subscription

Why not add some regular compelling environmental and sustainability coverage to your reading list? With a tagline of “Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet,” Sierra is the official publication of the Sierra Club, and you’ll be getting an entire year’s subscription.

(Retail value of $15)

Gourmet Oren’s Kitchen Nuts

Committed to using seasonal and organic produce, Bay Area Oren’s Kitchen is committed to good food. Snack on a bag gourmet nuts, randomly selected bag from the following Oren’s Kitchen flavors: Wild Rosemary Almonds, Indian Ajwain Cashews, Smoked Paprika Pecans, Coconut Chili Macadamias.

(Retail value of $6.99)

Tipu’s Chai Now Tea

Tipu’s is the perfect quick fix of spiced goodness. All you have to do is add water, and you have a delicious mug of chai soy latte. Chai Now is made with organic spices and non-GMO soy milk.

(Retail value of $10.95)

Hug Me Pillow Cover

VivaTerra‘s Hug Me Pillow is the perfect item to snuggle up with on the couch, reminding you to take some time and relax. Please note that this is only the pillowcase – down pillow insert not included (we know you may prefer a vegan option). Only eco-friendly, humanely-sourced wool is used in the making of this cuddly soft pillow!

(Retail value of $39)

Funky Monkey Banana Snacks

In need of a quick snack for your movie night? Look no further than Bananamon by Funky Monkey. The freeze-dried organic banana and organic cinnamon is just as delicious for adults as it is for kids, so serve some up to the entire family.

(Retail value of $2.49)

Plantlife Lemongrass and Orange aromatherapy candle

Make your living room smell sweet with this Lemongrass and Orange aromatherapy from Plantlife. No matter which room you place it in, this candle will fill your space with its energizing, refreshing and subtly sweet aroma.

(Retail value of $9.90)

Albert Nobbs by George Moore

Curl up with this copy of Albert Nobbs, a novella-length story by George Moore that is the basis for the Oscar-nominated film, in which Glenn Close plays a woman passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th-century Ireland. Some thirty years after donning men’s clothing, she finds herself trapped in a prison of her own making. Glenn has been nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Albert in this film, so get a chance to read the book before you watch the film.

(Retail value of $10)

Green Field Paper Hemp Heritage Journal Book

If you need a break from films and television, take some time to write or draw your thoughts. This journal from Green Field is perfect for just that, filled with blank pages to fuel your creativity. The paper is made with 25% hemp and 75% post consumer waste.

(Retail value of $11.95)

Ginger People 3 oz. bag of Gin Gin Hard Candy

For a boost of energy for the evening, pop one of these hard candies from Ginger People. They’re double strength, which means they’re just as an after dinner digestive as they are for a soothing throat lozenge. You can’t go wrong with candy that does double duty.

(Retail value of $2.79)

Pawling Print Studios 2012 Calendar

Keep your walls beautiful and your life organized with this distinct calendar from Pawling Print Studio. The hand draw illustrations are inspired by traditional textile patterns, and printed in quarterly series, you’ll have a new one to hang on your wall every 3 months.

(Retail value of $25)

Discovery Channel’s Oceanic DVD
The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contains 97 percent of the planet’s water, yet more than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unexplored. Discovery Channel’s “Oceanic” brings the ocean to life, following the team from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as they make history, sending their robotic craft Nereus into the darkest depths of the ocean, past 6,000 meters to be exact.

(Retail value of $14.98)

Two Moms in the Raw Vegan Truffles

Wheat and dairy free, these truffles from Two Moms in the Raw are the perfect healthy evening treat. Made with almond butter, it’s chocolate you can feel good about indulging in.

(Retail value of $5)

Orders are processed through Paypal. Simply click to buy!

The fine print: Please note there will be an additional $30 flat charge which covers all shipping, handling and sales tax fees. Packages are processed and shipped with love within 7 business days of ordering via UPS ground. We cannot ship internationally (we wish we could!). You’ll receive a confirmation email once your order has gone through. Due to the extremely limited nature of these special assortments, we regret that refunds are not possible if you change your mind. If any items you receive are damaged, the participating brands and EcoSalon are happy to replace them for you as soon as the item(s) is available. If the exact item is not available, one of similar value will be offered. Enjoy your assortment of green goodies!

We’re excited to send them your way.

The post January Entertainment Box: The ‘Keep Me Entertained’ Edition appeared first on EcoSalon.

ExclusiveDocumenting beauty in nature: an EcoSalon exclusive with photographer Ben Canales and new “Finding Oregon” timelapse.

Sometimes we need reminders of who we are and what is important. Finding Oregon is one of those reminders. Shot in Oregon, and produced by Uncage the Soul Productions, the video is a composite of timelapses, giving us an intimate look at the day and night sky in some of the most remote places in this western state known for its natural resources and beauty.

This video is a fresh respite from our everyday, overloaded, technology dependent, lives. It reminds us of the natural rhythms that we have almost become unaccustomed to, reintroducing us to the power and routine of nature.

Photographer and Uncage the Soul team member Ben Canales knows a thing or two about timelapses, and in this EcoSalon exclusive behind-the-scenes he shares his inspiration and process, giving us a look into the reality of creating a magical 3 minutes.

Finding Oregon from Uncage the Soul Productions on Vimeo.

How long did you film for?

About 70% of the timelapse sequences were shot in one intense, week-long road trip going to all four of the furthest corners of Oregon, but the remainder was filmed throughout 2010-2011.

This is a great question, because we ourselves, didn’t realize just how much work is involved until we got serious about this project. It is shocking how much energy, time, and equipment goes into getting one, six second video clip. For instance, a glowing tent clip from Crater Lake demanded a dedicated three day trip out of town, location scouting in the day to find the perfect spot for the night, a three mile trek through the snow with all the equipment to the spot, setup for an hour and then wait for nightfall.

The actual filming takes 2-4 hours to record a good night timelapse of the stars moving, and then pack up, hike out, and drive home the next day. That is only the work done in the field! Then there are hours and hours of processing, editing, and polishing the final video sequence to get only six seconds of final video.

It is not an exaggeration to say one short, final clip may represent 20-30 hours of planning, driving, hiking, shooting, and processing- all that for mere seconds of video playback. It is a ridiculous labor of love.

The biggest challenge is the timing lining up to be in the right place at the right time. These starry night timelapses have a surprising amount of requirements to get the bright, beaming epic payoff. First, the moon should be around the New Moon phase (no moon) so as not to outshine the stars, so that means we get a window of about five days a month. Next, weather must be cooperative with a dependable expectancy of cloudless skies. Here in Oregon, only the summer months have a good chance of clear skies. So that means, we have three months in the year, with a 5 day window each month to plan, with fingers crossed, for epic star shooting conditions. That’s only 15 days in a year.

Then, you hope that something doesn’t come up in regular life to pull you away to other obligations on those few days. It is a maddening challenge to get all the factors to line up to be in the right place at the right time. But, when it does happen- it is such a satisfying feeling.

*Groan* Yes… it’s painful to think about. We had set up a motion controlled timelapse that lifted the camera over a boulder to reveal a desert arch framing the passing Milky Way and stars. It is a beautiful sight and not one I’ve seen anyone else capture in this location. We were really excited because this shot would be one of the top five sequences in the final video. We spent the first half of the night finding the spot in the dark, lugging the equipment up the hill to the location and then meticulously setting it all up. We were short on sleep, but pushed through the fatigue because the shot was more than worth it.

Finally, everything was set, the Milky Way was fast approaching and showing up in the arch. We fired off a few test shots, turned it on to run the whole night and then trudged back to camp for some desperately needed sleep. Hours later, we came back, excited to see the final result, but it turned out the power cord to the battery was loose and slight movement had disconnected the power source only 20 minutes after we left it. It was a complete loss.

Next summer the stars and Milky Way will line up there again through that arch like it has for thousands of years, and maybe we’ll be lucky enough to be back to get it.

We’ve filmed the Columbia River Gorge, Mt Hood and the surrounding area, Mt Jefferson, the Southwestern Coast, the Alvord Desert, Leslie Gulch, Blue Mountains, Crater Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Deschutes River, and more. We’re proud to have touched all four corners of the state; however, Oregon is the kind of place that the more you see, the more you realize you’ve missed and haven’t seen yet!

Absolutely. We were inspired to make this film because of the personal experiences our team has individually had in Oregon. But, we would be honored to have the opportunity to capture and showcase the unique beauty of other regions through our cameras. Hopefully films like this will inspire and excite others to go beyond their normal routines and see some of the beautiful regions beyond their own backyards.

This is a question that each of our team members would probably uniquely answer in their own way, so I can only speak for myself in this moment. I am inspired to make this film to share the moments of beauty and awe in nature with those that don’t have the opportunity to see it themselves.

I go to great lengths to get far from the city, beyond its reach, to get to the wild and free places. For me, it is an honor and a joy to try to capture some of these moments and bring back something to share of my own experience. I am literally in awe of the wild beauty of snow capped mountains, immensely flat desert horizons, violently rugged coastal sea stacks, infinitely sparkling starry night skies, exploding colors of sunsets and sunrises, and so on. If there’s a chance I can capture some of that to share with others and/or bring awareness for the need to protect these special places, I find inspiration there.

Learn more about Uncage the Soul Productions work here.

The post Finding Oregon: An Exclusive Look at A Stunning Nature Timelapse appeared first on EcoSalon.