The Wonder and the Worry - a National Geographic Documentary Project

Chris Johns, '74, made some of the most memorable photographs ever captured during a long career with the National Geographic Society. He's the only staff photographer to rise to the role of editor-in-chief of the magazine.

"The Wonder and the Worry" is a feature-length documentary, now in its final stages of production, that tells the incredible story of Johns and his life's work - from the OSU journalism class that transformed his ambitions to his last issue of National Geographic, entirely devoted to the epic saga of Yellowstone National Park.

Johns' career took him from rural Oregon to Africa and Washington, D.C., and through his eyes we'll learn about the power of journalism, the story of one of the world's most influential publications, the precious landscapes he captured on film that now stand in peril and the new generation he's guided into the field, including his daughter Louise and students in his OSU workshops.

Produced by the staff and student team at Oregon State Productions that created Saving Atlantis, this documentary is an Oregon State adventure with global reach.

Join the effort to tell the story of one of OSU's most notable graduates. Contributors will receive exclusive updates and information about screenings when the film is released in 2023. Gifts will be used to offset expenses including travel, production, post-production, scoring and licensing costs for the film. Donations also will provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain hands-on filmmaking experience.