First of all: A Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you have had a peaceful and relaxing season’s holiday. And I hope you have been able to reload you creative batteries and are ready for a new year with inspiring photography and new personal creative developments. As for myself I have had a couple of weeks completely off the grid. No phone calls, no emails, no blogging, no Facebook and no working. Of course I couldn’t stay away from photographing, but only in a very relaxing and totally unpretentious way – which is always the best way anyway.
Secondly I want to thank everybody who has submitted suggestions for my collection of best photo blogs. The page is now closed for further submissions, but a quick count shows that more than 400 suggestions were submitted. That is no less than extraordinary. It’s going be very exciting for me to go through each and every one of the photo blogs over the next couple of weeks. I will try to organize all them into various categories and then let you, my readers; decide which are the best blogs in each category. With so many blogs it will take some time before I have the presentation ready, though, but I am already working on it.
When I announced the competition I promised everyone who submitted suggestions I would send them a desktop wallpaper. Only a few sent their email for me to forward the picture, so instead I have made the picture accompanying this post available for everybody. It’s just for you to download. Clicking the image will take you to a high resolution 2560×1440 widescreen format.
In Flow with Otto 
Wonderful composition you captured dear Otto. As you meant, New Year New Chances, I hope and wish… Thank you, love, nia
I hope that you feel refreshed. Mostly, I wish for your family and you a harmonious and peaceful New Year.
Wonderful, but how do??
The day that I will make a photo that does not sound or is blurred by zooming to the maximum, will make a great party!
Happy New Year to you and good luck .. you are great .. shame you’re so far from Italy.
I would become a student of your 🙂 and if I knew English was better!
kiss
vento
Ah! Isn’t it great to disconnect?! It’s one of the best gifts that one can give to one’s self.
I weaned away from most things cyber to focus on several paintings. it’s hard to juggle painting and wordpress – both demand a lot of my time and energies. Sometimes I ponder if I had to chose one, which would be go into hibernation/incubation? Ah, ’tis a nice problem to have!
The painting awaits….
Z
shoot! I never was good with deadlines…. 🙂 If you are feeling generous and will add one more, consider adding http://afternoonwalks.wordpress.com/. I thought for sure someone would have mentioned it b/c it was freshly pressed recently. I think it’s great.
It’s lovely to “disappear” for a while, isn’t it? I tend to do so whenever I’m in the Algarve.
Happy New Year! I raise a toast to new beginnings.
Thank you for the wallpaper; I will enjoy it.
Good for you taking time offline. Being sick with a sick family slows one a bit. I miss photographing and hope to get back to that soon. I look forward to your site list.
That is fantastic Otto, over 400 blogs. You’ve set yourself quite a task but one, like you, I think I would enjoy. You are being incredibly generous with your time and with your wallpaper. Thank you.
Thank you Otto, this is going to be so interesting. Living under the radar is a challenge these days, nice job! I hope the new year finds you well and bursting with inspiration and wisdom for us all to ponder, glad you are back and the wallpaper is wonderful, you are very generous.
Unfortunately too late for my submission but already so many good ones! I’m sure it will be very interesting. 2013? Yes, it will be an exciting year 🙂
robert
PS: just in case you are interested…http://www.co-mag.net/
Wishing you a very happy new year Munchow! May you have a wonderful year with loads of new opportunities 🙂
Reblogged this on pam kelso + PK Nature Photography and commented:
Off the grid weeks are nice and I really like that logo/watermark
Thank you Otto. That image is a lovely New Year’s gift. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the photo sites.
Happy New Year to you my friend.
Happy New Year Otto.
Happy New Year!
That’s a big wow and thank you. That is a great shot and I would say that is a wonderful example of contemplative photography. I’m not sure if that is the right word. I bought the book you recommended and since I am waiting in the dentist’s chair I should be excused.
Happy New Year, Otto!
What a great way to start 2013 just chilling! May you be blessed abundantly with all your creative endeavors. 😉
Peace & love! ❤
Happy New Year to you too! I’m happy you were able to relax without any distractions and be one with your camera. Your picture is stunning! Just wanted to swing by and say hello! Hope all is well and that this year thus far is treating you beautifully! I know for me, it has!
One day, I hope I can do what you did— a few weeks “off the grid.” Must be refreshing. Happy 2013, Otto. Looking forward to being amazed by the images you will capture for us.
Happy new year I’m looking forward to reading your photos this year
¡Feliz año 2013!, espero que tengas tu y todos los tuyos un año formidable. Desde luego se nota que has estado relajado, porque tu fotografía lo cuenta, muchos besos
My best o you Otto. Wish you much success in projects as well as life. Your work is beautiful.
Ønsker deg et riktig GODT NYTTÅR!
Gleder meg til å følge bloggen din 2013!
Hi Otto:
Happy New Year. Hope you will continue showing interesting photos on your blog throughout 2013.
Paule
http://www.paulepictures.com
http://www.paulepictures.com/blog
Beautiful, as always. I wish I had more time to focus on my photography! You are such an inspiration. . .
http://www.sandramathewsphotography.com/nawakwa/
What a lovely gift, Otto. I will see if I can make it happen! 🙂 I hope this year brings you many wonderful opportunitis to pursue the passion of your art. You are a generous man and I learn so much from you. Debra
No Internet and no work, sounds like the perfect getaway. Happy New Year Otto.
Thank you for the photo!! It’s good to see you back, but I’m glad you took a break. I managed to cut back a little, and that was a good change. I look forward to seeing the list of best photo blogs!
A beautiful image. All the best for this year!
Happy New Year and may the views through your lens keep you smiling :-).
Happy New Year Otto, I will be disappearing of the internet for a few months as my winter location I am heading to has no internet. I am a snowbird and head to the desert during the winter months. We just got over a foot of new snow here this past couple of days and spent the entire day shoveling and clearing our driveway so I am now ready for some warm sun and beautiful sunrises and sunsets again. The changes recharges me. I hope to be getting a new camera down there and can really get creative. See you in the spring and may you be creative all the winter long.
Happy New Year to you, too. Have a nice trip, Carrie. May you enjoy the heat and the sun. I on the other hand am heading for snow and skiing – hopefully.
I love this photo! Wishing you the happiest of new years.
happy New Year, sir Otto! all the best for 2013… 🙂
Happy New Year Otto … and thanks for the image. Wishing you nothing but the best for 2013, and glad you enjoyed your two weeks away from technology!
Its awfully important to take time off to rest and recharge. Hope you had a good time skiing. Thanks for the lovely photo.
My new year’s resolution is simple: I must slow down. As I don’t have computer access all day I can only blog at night and after standing all day its a challenge, as is keeping up with the never-ending pace of blogging…. so dear Otto, if I don’t comment on every post it doesn’t mean I don’t like your blog just that I’m taking care of myself.
I think it’s good to access what is possible and not, and then make the right choices in life. I do look forward to our exchange of thoughts, but don’t worry, I know that it’s hard to keep up with all this blogging.
A very Happy New Year to you too. It has been a joy following this blog and I hope 2013 gives you both time to relax but also inspires you too!
You are very generous, Otto! Thanks in advance for the dekstop wallpaper. I can’t wait. 😀
I’m looking forward to voting for the competition. That would be so much fun and interesting!
Hope it’s not too late to wish you a very Happy New Year 2013. All the best for you and your loved ones! 🙂
Nice and warm colour, thank you for sharing and have a marvellous year in photography..
Lovely, warm colors in this image. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Happy 2013, Otto! 🙂
How cool is that?! Adore the colours (especially as it’s a bit chilly here today!)
Nice simplicity in comp and colors. Looks like my home state, Arizona.
Thanks for the lovely wallpaper. So interesting a composition with its many textures.
Happy New Year. Glad to know you have had a great time rejuvenating yourself. Awaiting the presentation…
¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪Happy New Year to You & Yours!.♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”
Eliz
Wishing you an amazing 2013.
Just saw this…am catching up too…I look forward to your list of best photography blogs!