First of all: A Happy New Year to you all! I hope we all entered into a year that will both be inspiring and creative.
A new year opens up for new possibilities. As for myself I have sat down and looked upon photo workshops I want to teach in 2016. Some I have taught for a while, but one is completely new for me – which I look forward to try out.
First of all I am pleased to say that my good friend and colleague, Sven Creutzmann, and I will once again teach a workshop in Cuba. The workshop is a great opportunity to discover this beautiful Caribbean island, its friendly people, the sensual rhythms of everyday life as well as the former colonial and African culture that still so much influence all life in Cuba. During the workshop we will of course spend time in Havana, both photographing the beautiful old town as well as other landmarks and just daily life as it passes on the street. After a couple of days in Havana we will then travel to Trinidad, one of the most scenic, colonial cities in Cuba. I can guarantee quite an experience if you come along on this workshop to maybe one of the most photogenic countries I have ever been to. The Cuba workshop will take place from May 8th to May 15th. For me information about it, please look up Blue Hour Photo Workshops.
In the autumn I will teach a photo workshop in Prague in Czech Republic. This is a first for me, although I have been many a time in the country. This workshop will be a shorter, kind of long weekend. Prague is an amazing city and absolutely one of the most beautiful in Europe. I really look forward to be able to offer this workshop. I will get back with more information on a later date.
Finally – as I announced before Christmas – I am soon about to start another round of the eWorkshop «Finding Your Photographic Workshop». This is a workshop that goes over eight weeks and is totally taught over internet. I will send you weekly leaflets with inspiration and exercises and then give you feedback on your photos. In all modesty, I think this is a very good option for those who cannot attend a regular workshop. And I know that people, who have attended before, have felt I was able to help them develop their photographic. Maybe it’s time for you? The workshop starts up on January 25th. For more information, look up «Finding Your Photographic Workshop».
In Flow with Otto 
Lovely photo, Otto and all the very best to you too.xx
Thank you, Paula. I hope 2016 will be full of happiness, creativity and love for you.
Love the picture, is it from Cuba? Those are good plans for the new year you have. Very best!!
Thank you. Yes, this was captured during my last trip to Cuba.
Having felt a little ‘lost’ in the second half of 2015 I absolutely concur with your sentiment of entering “into a year that will both be inspiring and creative”!
Yes, let’s hope that. I wish you all the best, Noeline.
Happy new year!!!
A belated Happy New Year to you, too.
A great photo, Otto. All the best for your workshops. 🙂
Thank you, Nandini.
Happy New Year, Otto! That’s a great photograph.
Thank you, Nancy. Happy New Year to you, too.
2016 is going to be a very good year. I would love to go to your Cuba workshop. Someday I will be able to.
I cross fingers for 2016. Some day I hope to see you in one of my workshops. 🙂
Happy New Year Otto !
Thank you, France. I wish the same for you.
Ah Cuba! One day I hope!
One day you will hopefully make it. 🙂
I’m looking forward to another year of being inspired by your photography and your writing on creativity, Otto. I wish you and your family a wonderful new year.
I have a question about the photo above: If it were my picture, I’d probably have edited it so the building in the center appeared straight and let both sides lean in towards it. I’m wondering why you chose to have the straight vertical on the left side of the image. It does make for a dynamic sense of activity and motion, but I’m curious if that was the reason for your choice.
Thank you for the lovely feedback. I hope 2016 will be great for you and your love ones, too. As for you question, I generally work very intuitively, and usually do the analyzing afterwards. Whenever I tilt the camera in most cases I want to have a least one line that goes right – either vertically or horizontally, like with the wall to the left. And I have found that when I do so with something in the middle, it doesn’t quite hold the picture so well together. It just looks like merging lines and not a tilted perspective. And as you point to, the way I have chosen to compose the photo, makes for a more dynamic image.
Wonderful Otto! Sounds like an exciting year ahead. Happy New Year and I look forward to following you in 2016! 🙂
Thank you for always being so encouraging. A belated Happy New Year to you, too.
A really beautiful image, Otto. I wish you every happiness and success with your workshops this year. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia. I wish you all the best in 2016 as well.
Hope that you are overflowing with participants.
That would be fun – let’s see when we get closer to the actual dates. 🙂 Thank you, Sally.
can you use pictures that you have taken in the past for your workshop? lol
Of course. Past or future… 🙂
i might have trouble getting into the future, but moment by moment i seem to get there 🙂
I think that’s the best way – and safest.
Sounds like a great year unfolding, Otto! Prague sounds inviting….
Prague is a lovely city. A good place for a photographer. 🙂
Definitely!
New year and to complete new album !! beautiful year in pictures
Yes, let’s hope for that. Thank you, Pat. I wish the same for you.
Happy New Year to you too. Good luck with your projects. -Janet & Lenja
Thank you, Janet and Lenja. A belated Happy New Year to both of you, too.
Happy New Year Otto. It sounds like you have some worthy plans for 2016. I haven’t quite gotten that far yet. LOL.
Well, the year has only started, so still plenty of time to make great plans. 🙂 A belated Happy New Year to you, too, Renee.
Happy New Year, Otto! It sounds like it’s going to be an interesting one for you.
Thank you, Elen. May you have a happy and interesting 2016 as well.
It sounds like you have a great jump on the New Year Otto ~ love the opening shot, a great way to bring in the New Year as there are many opportunities to improve in the New Year and you offer a great list. Wish you the best with your photography in the New Year, cheers to a great 2016.
Thank you, Randall. I wish you all the best for 2016.
happy new year Otto,
I’ve just read your post about your future photography workshops,
these are great 🙂 Cuba is still on my top list of places to visit 🙂
I’ve been to Prague, it’s a lovely place too and it has a great scenery 🙂
So i’m sure your year is already looking great.
At least it’s starting off very well. 🙂 Thank you, Maria, I wish you all the best for 2016, too.
A very very happy new year to you Otto! Very much looking forward to your posts in the coming year my friend! 🙂
Thank you, my friend. May you have a great photographic and otherwise happy 2016, Adrian.
My wife is compin’ at the bit to return to Cuba. If we make it this year, I doubt it will be in time for your workshop but we’ll see. Yes, I’d love to shoot Havana again, especially under your guidance.
I hope you will make it back to Cuba – whether joining or not joining my workshop. Havana is a special place to photograph, isn’t it!
A belated but happy new year! It sounds like you will be very busy!
Thank you, Elizabeth. Busy is good and I do have a lot in store for 2016. I wish all the best for you are your love ones, too.
Nice photograph, Otto. All the best 🙂
Thanks. All the best to you, too, Uday.
A belated Happy New Year to you, Otto. I’m looking forward to what you share with us from your workshops in 2016 .
Thank you, Michelle. A belated Happy New Year to you, too.