Michael Ring Photography (under construction)

NEW BLOG

2010-03-01T20:32:00.000-08:00

HERE

goodbye...

Car Show

2010-02-16T11:29:00.001-08:00

ITW

2010-02-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

New Camera on the way

2010-02-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

"Almost exactly two years after the D80 was announced comes its replacement, the rather predictably named D90. The D80 has been one of Nikon's quiet successes, and even today, despite being positively Methuselah-like in digital camera terms it continues to sell and often makes its way into our top 10 most clicked on cameras. Because it looks so similar to the D80 the D90 appears at first glance to be one of those rather subdued incremental upgrades, but dig a little deeper and you'll find there's plenty to keep Nikon fans happy.

First and foremost there's a new CMOS sensor, which Nikon claim produces D300 quality output at up to ISO 6400 and - one of several features to 'trickle down' from higher models - the same highly acclaimed 3.0-inch VGA screen as the D3/D300. Naturally it has Live View with contrast-detect AF and it would have been surprising had it not sported some form of dust removal system. More surprising is the inclusion of the world's first DSLR movie mode (720p HDTV quality, no less) and HDMI output, though as we'll see later it does come with some limitations. A lot of the core photographic spec is the same as or very similar to the D80, though there is a new shutter and an implementation of the 3D tracking AF seen on the D3/D300.

And it's not just the high end models that have lent features and technology to the D90; the user interface has been given the same user-friendly treatment as the D60, as have the retouching options. As it was explained to us the D90 is intended to appeal to the broadest audience of any Nikon SLR, from first-time 'step up' customers moving from a compact to serious amateurs wanting comprehensive photographic control without the cost and weight of a D300. Whether the D90 is as capable as its feature set suggests, we'll see as the review unfolds."

Souces: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/

M3 Leadership Conference

2010-01-24T11:48:00.000-08:00

Held at California Baptist University, the M3 Leadership Conference gives students from CBU, Vanguard University, Azusa Pacific, and other schools the chance to learn and develop skills they will need in order to lead shot term mission teams over the summer. Students who attended the conference will be serving in areas as close as the United States or as far as in the Himalayas.

Mount Rubidoux

2009-10-05T16:19:00.001-07:00

Wonderful Girl

2009-09-09T11:19:00.001-07:00

Orphan

2009-08-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

...more

2009-08-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Dima, one of the Ukrainian orphans

Part of the orphanage where we were staying

Two of the guys from my group

Our Orphanage

2009-08-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Even more Ukraine

2009-08-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

More Ukraine

2009-08-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

Ukraine

2009-08-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Business

2009-07-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Ukraine photos coming soon. In the meantime...

Montana

2009-05-09T09:52:00.001-07:00

Caught in a snow storm in a rest stop in Montana... This is what proceeded...

Summer Photography

2009-05-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Ramona

2009-05-06T00:33:00.001-07:00

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Dumpster Diving

2009-04-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

END

2009-04-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hemet

2009-04-17T01:58:00.001-07:00

GODSPELL

2009-03-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

Closing Night

2009-03-03T19:32:00.001-08:00

Arsenic and Old Lace Street Fighting

2009-02-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

I like this photo :D

2009-02-27T00:17:00.001-08:00

The Wallace Theater at California Baptist University during the 2009 Spring Production of "Arsenic and Old Lace"!

BACKSTAGE

2009-02-22T03:08:00.001-08:00

Behind the scenes of "Arsenic and Old Lace" at California Baptist University!

Ukraine '09

2009-02-15T23:08:00.001-08:00

Please help support our ISP (International Service Project) team by following this link! :D

Support ISP Team Ukraine!!!

We are asking for prayer, support, and donations. We will be grateful for anything :D

TEAM UKRAINE!

2009-02-13T18:13:00.001-08:00

This is the 2009 Ukraine A team! We will be traveling to Ukraine this summer to work with orphans! :)

Boredom Inspires

2009-02-02T01:38:00.000-08:00

2009-01-01T23:54:00.000-08:00

Last shoot of '08; Senior Pics for Nicole

2009-01-01T16:42:00.000-08:00

SWIM

2008-10-11T13:18:00.001-07:00

This is how i feel

2008-10-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

Our world is AMAZING

2008-10-08T23:40:00.001-07:00

Nature Time Lapse 2 from mockmoon on Vimeo.

These past few days

2008-09-17T14:46:00.001-07:00

Men's Soccer

2008-09-08T22:15:00.001-07:00

Womens Soccer

2008-09-08T22:05:00.001-07:00

Men's Water Polo

2008-09-03T19:38:00.001-07:00

CBU vs Concordia. CBU won 7 to 10. Go Lancers!

Cross Country

2008-09-02T03:06:00.001-07:00

Clash N' Bowl

2008-09-01T22:54:00.001-07:00

Possibly my favorite photo that I've ever taken

Welcome to My Garden

2008-06-12T00:30:00.002-07:00

Small little snippet that my friend Dan and I filmed today due to boredom and beautiful Ojai.

Welcome To My Garden from Dan Baker on Vimeo.

Fire on Ojai

2008-06-12T00:30:00.001-07:00

Ojai Oil Fire - June 08 from Research Indicates on Vimeo.

When it Falls

2008-06-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

A music interpretation film that I helped some friends film a couple of weeks ago. Loads of fun!

When It Falls from Dan Baker on Vimeo.

Just a little something to take your mind off the heat!

2008-06-06T01:25:00.000-07:00

Production Notes

2008-05-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

An on scene shot for a movie that I'm helping some buddies make.

On the road

2008-05-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

On the road in Idaho with 70 other guys . . .

Self Portrait

2008-04-27T23:05:00.001-07:00

Photography at CBU

2008-04-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

Because I was bored. . .

Rodents

2008-04-25T01:37:00.000-07:00

If you give a mouse a cookie, he'll probably ask for milk,
but if you leave your door open, a possum just might find his way into your kitchen . . .

New York

2008-03-28T14:47:00.001-07:00

More pics. from PAINT

2008-03-05T16:38:00.001-08:00

Paint

2008-03-04T01:01:00.000-08:00

My buddy Ales who is a professional paint ball player (speed ball). He just got back from a tournament in Mexico City, and his team, Famous TJ, placed 5th. I decided to do a story on him for the school newspaper, and this is the photo shoot for that story! :)

Fun in the Studio

2008-03-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

Adventure Club: Bouldering

2008-02-18T00:22:00.000-08:00

I went bouldering at Joshua Tree National Park. It was a lot of fun, got some cool photos and got to meet a few new people. Next time, we're going deep sea fishing!!! I can't wait!

Valentine's Day Shoot (The Banner)

2008-01-30T21:14:00.001-08:00

This one (below) is my favorite <3

My Room (a photo manipulation of sorts)

2008-01-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

The Tuareg Crisis

2008-01-28T04:51:00.001-08:00

(Photo provided by Leslie Clark of the Nomad Foundation)

In North Africa, located in the interior of the Saharan Desert, reside a striving people known as the Tuareg. Also known as “The People of the Veil,” the Tuareg are descendants of the Berber people who have inhabited North Africa as far back as recorded history for that area goes. A highly nomadic group, the Tuareg travels mainly by camel, and are traders in livestock and agriculture. Some of the land that they inhabit has been found to be rich with Uranium, and lately, the Nigerian government has been selling huge tracts of land to foreign uranium companies without even consulting or informing the Tuareg of these sales. The Tuareg have long withstood devastating droughts, political difficulties, and rebellions, but these new government actions have made a significant blow to their community, and have threatened their way of life, and even their existence.

After years of guerilla warfare and Tuareg rebellion that started in the 1990’s and ended in 1995, the Nigerian government and the Organization of Armed Resistance (ORA) signed the 1955 peace accords. The Peace Accords promised principle equal rights; local elections in which the Tuareg people could have representatives that they could choose themselves, fairly distributed wealth and resources, education, access to jobs, and some influence in the policies of the entire country.

In the past eight months how ever, history seems to have been repeating itself. Tandja Mamadou, the elected president of Niger, has made a decision that once and for all this situation must end, and that the Tuareg and opposition must be completely annihilated. He seeks to eliminate Tuareg expression in politics and society entirely. This is due to a group of Tuareg who have dedicated themselves to alerting the population and government of the deterioration of the 1955 Peace Accords and the non-respect of the agreements that had been signed in 1995.

These government actions have caused a rise in popularity in the Justice Movement of the People of Niger (MNJ). The movement that was created to express the discontent of the Tuareg people at the beginning of last year. One of the largest problems that is affecting the Tuareg is the widespread and arbitrary sales of huge tracts of land to foreign uranium companies (mainly from China). The companies are acquiring legal rights to the Tuareg’s native ancestral land without even so much as consulting them or informing them. They are being dispossessed of these lands which their very survival and ways of life depend on. The government of Niger is refusing to negotiate with the Tuareg completely. The have labeled them as bandits, drug-traffickers, and terrorists in order to create a façade which makes them look like a selfish community that wants all of the resources and wealth for themselves, when really all they want is to achieve the right to simply exist, and to be equal partners in discussions for the countries’ future.

In question about the United State’s involvement, Issouf Ag-Maha, a political leader of the Tuareg people of Niger said, “The US government has a lot of leverage it could use, rather than engaging in military and anti-terrorist operations, to pressure the governments to negotiate and dialogue and acknowledge the existence of democratic movements and bring peace in the region.”

Leslie Clark, who is the founder and president of The Nomad Foundation (A foundation Dedicated to the preservation of cultural and artistic traditions in Africa), has been involved in helping the Tuareg since 1988. After spending a couple years travelling in Niger, she bought a cow for $200 for a nomadic friend whose family had hosted her at their camp. When she returned to visit the next year his family told her that because of that cow they were able to stay nomadic and didn’t have to move into a city and become beggars. Clark said that the best way to help the Tuareg is to build awareness. “I am lobbying all the human rights organizations I can, writing to any blogs, and international organizations interested in mediation.”

One way that readers who are concerned can get involved is to go to this link (http://www.petitiononline.com/pinnne07/petition.html) and sign the petition. Every day the Tuareg are forced deeper and deeper into oppression, but every signature in this petition counts and leads them closer to liberation. For more information, readers can also visit various websites such as; http://nomadfoundation.org/ or http://www.niger1.com/ or http://tuaregcultureandnews.blogspot.com. The Tuareg are a fragile and diminishing people, and only through the support of others will they be able to overcome these extremely difficult circumstances.

Beautiful Day

2008-01-21T19:59:00.001-08:00

Yosemite

2008-01-06T01:17:00.001-08:00

In a nutshell, this is what Yosemite was like. We arrived in the valley right before a storm, and spent the next 3 days hiking and photographing the beauty of it.

More Portraits . . .

2008-01-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

Lemme know if YOU want one!

Messin' around

2007-12-27T01:10:00.001-08:00

Senior Photos

2007-12-21T00:35:00.000-08:00

Just some senior portraits that I took for a really good friend of mine, Molly :)

A Walk through Bethlehem

2007-12-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

X-Mas

2007-12-06T18:49:00.001-08:00

Nascar nights

2007-11-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

Photo I took for the CBU Student Newspaper (The Banner). This is Kyle, he's basically a PROFFESIONAL Nascar driver. . . OK, well maybe not, but he's been racing for 5 years! The Banner featured an article of him in the sports section.

Christmas time at Disneyland

2007-11-20T20:43:00.001-08:00

Random Portraits of the Day

2007-11-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Photo class, and . . . not photo class . . .

24

2007-11-16T01:53:00.000-08:00

A lot of high school kids are spending the night here at CBU tonight. It's been fun so far!

Arizona Tour

2007-11-12T08:44:00.001-08:00

Went on tour for four days around Arizona. It was pretty fun.

18

2007-11-03T03:17:00.000-07:00

18th birthday. Very Interesting night (it was really just way early in the morning). Lots of stories to tell . . .

JRN310: Portraits on Location

2007-10-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

JRN310

2007-10-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

Photojournalism Class

JRN310: In Class portraits

2007-10-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

This was pretty fun. We had to team up with a partner and take portraits of each other with the available light, however, we had a 3 minute deadline for each shoot. We each shot each other twice. My partner was Desiree. After that we all had to shoot portraits of two "unsuspecting" subjects whom were chosen by our photography teacher.

NEW CAMERA

2007-10-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 30D, 8.2 Mega pixels, rapid fire mode, 3200 ISO . . .It's pretty nice . . .

California Wildfire: Running Springs

2007-10-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Daniel and I were able to make it all the way up past Lake Arrowhead to Running Springs where the fire had already devastated most houses earlier that day. It was pretty exciting. After 5 police check points, and TONS of smoke, we finally came upon the rubble of what was once a house. The channel 4 NBC news team was there too, and we got to talk to them as well. They thought it was cool that us student reporters were up there. On our way down we stopped at Rim of the World High School where most of the fire brigade were stationed for rest, food, debrief, and medical needs. After first asking for permission, I was able to get into the High School and see the resting firemen. I did get yelled at in one instance though. I tried to take a picture of a catering truck providing food to the firemen, but an officer told me off and told me the servers were inmates and that I couldn't take pictures because of liability issues. All in all, it was a very exciting, educational, and awe-evoking excursion. Some of my photos aren't so great, but then again, neither am I :P

Ojai Day

2007-10-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

"Hey Band!"

2007-10-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

NHS vs Carp

2007-10-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Urban Plunge

2007-10-13T18:09:00.001-07:00

Went to the streets of L.A., handed out food to families, attended to those in need, and of course, spent time with kids at the park (That's what I did!)

Fantastic Fountain

2007-10-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

Students avoided getting wet today as they traveled past the fountain in between the dorms and the Music Building. Apparently someone had put soap in the fountain which had caused it, for one reason or another, to go insane spouting water high into the air.

Harvest Moon

2007-10-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Lunar eclipse that happened a little over a month ago.

Before
and After . . .

Self Portraits: Just for fun

2007-10-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

See what happens when I get bored?

The Purpose Driven Life

2007-10-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Rick Warren came and visited our school the other day. He gave a really inspiring sermon. I might have enjoyed it more though if my camera hadn't broke while I was taking pictures.

It's Days Like These

2007-10-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

An A on my math test, a canceled English class, and a premiere episode of my favorite show? I don't think things could get much better today . . . :)

A Change of Scenery

2007-10-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

My R.A. took me and a couple other people to his house on Thursday night (9/28/07) for dinner. His mom cooked a TON of food for us, and desert included ice cream, apple pie, and crumb cake. After dinner we all sat down to watch the season premiere of the hit t.v. series "The Office". It was a very fun time, and I'm glad I got to go.Above: (left to right) Becky, David Boslovski (my roommate), Joe Opris (My R.A.), and then Joe Opris's sister and boyfriend Ryan (who happens to be a high school music teacher) all sit down after a delicious meal (served by Mrs.Opris) and watch "The Office".

Angelos: Maintenance guys

2007-09-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Who would have known that this maintenance guy, David, was an extraordinary Marimba player? He has two of his very own marimbas, as well as three over sized marimbas that he built HIMSELF! That's pretty amazing if you ask me.

Twirped: Magic Mountain

2007-09-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

That's all I have to say about that. . .

Locally Grown

2007-09-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

Emy Reynolds

Twirped: Barnyard Dance

2007-09-21T12:10:00.001-07:00

Staff

2007-09-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Some photos of the maintenance staff for the yearbook.

JRN310: Environmental Portraits

2007-09-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

I think I may have done this assignment wrong. We were supposed to take environmental portraits of someone doing what ever it is that they do. I chose one of my house-mates, Michael Donnel. He's Pharmacy Technician at CVS. I set up the shot with him in his lab coat, holding some bottles of pills, but I'm afraid that he looks like more of a crazed drug addict rather than a refined pharmacist. Haha, I guess I was just trying to make it a little more interesting than normal . . .

Tell me this: If you saw these photos without the description would you think Pharmacist or Crazed addict?

Fútbol

2007-09-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Long story short,

We Won. CBU Won.

The Itsy Bitsy

2007-09-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Creepy Crawler on our porch.

Twirped

2007-09-14T11:13:00.001-07:00

Let the games begin

Goofy Friends

2007-09-14T01:26:00.001-07:00

. . . . My residential assistant Joe and his friend David. What more need be said?

Good Guy

2007-09-14T01:22:00.001-07:00

So this is Kenton Jacobsen, my photo editor for the Banner (School newspaper). He's been an amazing source of information and guidance when it comes to photography, and he's also a pretty neat guy. I shadowed him this evening during The Gathering (see previous post) and got this shot that I liked of him, while I should have been shooting the concert :P

The Gathering

2007-09-14T01:13:00.000-07:00

Below: Aaron Shust sings a' Capella to the crowd of CBU students. Students filled the Stamps Courtyard today as Aaron Shust performed live in concert. The concert included music, free food, raffles, and spiritual joy.

CBU

2007-09-13T01:18:00.000-07:00

CBU Pride

Cottage 19

2007-09-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Below: Cottage 19 shines like a beacon in the night that symbolizes integrity and progress.

This is where I live. It's pretty amazing. 5 other guys, a fully loaded kitchen, washer and dryer, five bedrooms, and three bathrooms. What more could a college freshman ask for?

ROTC at CBU

2007-09-11T16:40:00.001-07:00

Below: ROTC cadets stand at attention as their senior officer briefs them on the days activities.
ROTC cadets at CBU were taught drills and basic marching commands on the basketball courts mid-afternoon on Tuesday. The Cadets are training to become officers after they graduate from CBU. Ryan Arch, an ROTC cadet, had this to say about the program,

"It's a little overwhelming right now,
learning all of the drills and comm-
ands, but I feel like this is going to
become a great experience."

Photojournalism: JRN310

2007-09-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

In-class exercise:
Today we got a chance to take portraits of our fellow classmates. I shot this guy, Erick, whom I had just met for the occasion. Our instructor, Mike, told us to be on the lookout for good lighting. We also were supposed to be observing the rule of thirds. So, with that all in mind, I had Erick sit in the corner right next to a window where light was flooding into the hallway. I got a bunch of different shots from different angles, but this is the only one that I really liked. I feel like it makes him look like some sort of juvenile delinquent or something.
I assume I'll probably be uploading a lot of these in-class exercises through out the year, so any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!