Spiral Staircases (5 websites)

http://petapixel.com/2014/12/19/disorienting-beauty-spiral-staircases-old-abandoned-buildings/

I looked at the spiral staircase website very briefly, not only because there were few pictures to look at, but because the staircases all looked very similar. Except for these three. It says in the link, "Spiral Staircases" but these three really stood out to me. They are all so different and unique from one another but they are all classified as the same thing. I don't see a whole lot of simplicity in these pictures because most of them are old and have peeling paint on the walls/stairs. But i do see balance throughout all three. They all follow the same pattern all the way through the picture; either a spiral shape, a rounded rectangle shape, or a sharp-edged square shape. All of these pictures were taken by Christian Richter. 

Killer Time Lapse (5 websites)

http://blog.ted.com/2014/10/07/how-to-create-a-killer-timelapse-with-joe-capra/

I looked at a couple really cool time lapses of Rio de Janeiro and Australia's Gold Coast. They would be beautiful places to visit and the time lapses were really cool and well done. Both videos went from sunrise to sunset and showed people on the coast surfing and playing in the water. They showed traffic which was really cool to watch at a faster pace than usual. They also showed the forested parts of the areas and what tourists do too. I think both time lapses were made by Vimeo. 

the videos didn't really teach me anything, they were just really amazing. 

Gold Coast, Australia

The Oldest Living Things In The World (5 Websites)

http://www.rachelsussman.com/oltw/

I looked at some really cool pictures of some really amazing places with some of the oldest living things on earth. Almost all of the pictures were of plants/trees. one was a simple soil sample, while others were huge living trees in the US and Africa.

I learned that things like moss and small shrubberies to huge trees can live for thousands and thousands of years.

The site was full of very well-taken and well-positioned pictures of beautiful places all over the world with even more beautiful, ancient plants.
I chose this picture because of its natural, serene beauty.

It has incredible simplicity that draws your eye straight to the focus of the picture, the 9,550 year old tree

Prompt Shoot-2nd Semester

"eight"

"the end"

"connected"

"pause"

Bests of 2014

Song: Style - Taylor Swift

I could listen to Taylor's new album over and over again. But i really loved this song about how this couple "never goes out of style".

Movie: Into The Woods

I absolutely LOVED this movie. They had a bunch of really popular actors and actresses in it to make it very interesting to watch. The fact that some of those people could sing was really surprising, but it made it so fun to watch! The twist of all the fairytales that we were told as kids gave it an interesting twist on many movies that had already been made.

News Story: Celebrity Deaths- Robin Williams

"From 'Mork' to Oscar, A Look At Robin Williams' Career"

This story was really heart-wrenching for many who enjoyed Robin Williams. The day I found out that one of my favorite actors had died, i watched videos of his early comedy acts. 

I grew up with Robin Williams in many of my favorite movies; Aladdin, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Hook, Jumanji, and all of the Night at the Museum movies. Even movies like Flubber and Bicentennial Man were amazing because he was in them. He will be truly missed as an actor, comedian and role model.

Most Influential person of 2014: Carrie Underwood

I not only love Carrie Underwood's music and style, I love the message she gives off and what she believes in. As a top country artist, she has quite a bit of influence on people. She is strong-willed and smart and just amazing. She is a role model for so many young girls, including me. 

                      

Favorite photos of 2014

Turkish-Syrian Border
I loved the way this photo was taken. The barren land all around the abandoned crib
brought the message of the photo back to something we understand.
The people who were forced to leave this crib had to choose their life or their belongings.

The fire that was lit in the middle of Sha'af (Gaza city)
 is the only comfort they have left in the midst of what their homes used to be.
I love that even when they were surrounded by memories and what is left of their homes,
they can find comfort in each other even it is close to none.  

Taken in Ferguson, MO,
this protestor is willing to take horrible pain for what he believes in.
For Michael Brown and his death, many protesters would do the same.
I love what this photo shows of what people will do for what they think is right.