So I made it! I really feel like I have accomplished something great. I know it seems kind of silly (it is just a photo project), but you get out of this project what you put into it, and I am really proud of how much I have improved my photography over the past year. I am proud of how much I have gained from sticking it out through thick and thin, and sitting down night after night at the computer and posting the day's shot. I must HONESTLY say that I owe MUCH of what I got out of the project to you 365'ers! I was languishing through my project for about two months until I found this site, and I enjoyed so much the community of wonderful people and photographers that is here, I enjoyed seeing so many great photos, and getting to know so many of you via your work. You kept me going on the off days and through the lull in motivation I hit around the ninth month. I have to thank my wonderful wife Anne who, as always, was ever so patient with me and understanding when I spent more and more time out shooting and at home editing. Perhaps she is more happy than I am that I have finished!
I was going back and forth about what I wanted the last shot to be, and really the only thing I could decide on is that I wanted it to include me, and I wanted to include Aachen. I have so grown love this wonderful city where I live in the past year; noticing all the little hidden gems of Aachen that I would just walked right past if not for this project. I am quite sure sometime in the next few years when I get some more time I am going to put together an Aachen photo book, if only just for Anne and I. So I set up my camera this morning and snapped this simple shot of me and our wonderful Aachen Cathedral.
So now the question is: what next? Well I love the community here and how the act of continuous shooting keeps your photographic eye fresh. Although I am not going to do another 365 project, I was thinking something more in the area of a 52-week-project, where I take at least one new photo a week. I will also be posting a lot of shots that were not taken that day, as I have an enormous backlog of travel shots to get through and I will probably just post what I am working on that day. I hope this is a good compromise that will keep us all connected as well as keep my eye for great compositions fresh.
Thank you all for the support the past year, and I am looking forward to continuing this great thing we all have on here! Now I am going to go pop a beer, sit out on the balcony with Anne, grill up some steaks, and NOT take a picture this weekend, simply because I can.
Oh congrats to you! fantastic fun photo for the last one, look great! And I hope you enjoy your next weekly project :-) Thanks too for your comments on other's photo's!
Congratulations, Steve! I've enjoyed your photos and experiencing your world. Aachen is such a beautiful place and I'm glad I've gotten to enjoy it through you. I'm so happy that you'll be sticking around!
Oh what an accomplishment! How happy I am for you! It seems that when I started, (in July) everybody is finishing, or close to finishing that I follow! So happy to hear that you will at least post a photo a week? I think that is STILL a commitment! Love looking at your photos, as long as I have been following you :-) Its a beautiful place you live, and glad I got to enjoy the sights with you! And, this shot- is perfect for the ending photo!
Wonderful shot for your last one, it really says it all. I look forward to anything else you decide to post for us as your photos are always great and it will be a treat to see the places you have visited. Good luck in the future and I hope we see you around once in a while.
Congrats on finishing! What an accomplishment! I've wondered what it would be like to reach that final day. You're self portrait inspires me. I've been wanting to keep anonymity so have decided to only show part of my face so I think on my last day, a full shot of me would be a great way to end. Thanks for the idea.
Enjoy that beer. We'll look forward to more of your talent. This is a great community, isn't it?
Congratulations Steve! But WHY is your calendar says 364/365????? Anyways this is a great picturet! I was really afraid you would stop and rather see filers picture (wich are amazing i know that) than losing you. Looking foward to llok at them! enjoy you week end photo-free!
Congratulations on a very successful year! I have loved seeing your world and have also enjoyed your kind comments. Your pictures have been so much more than travel photos. I feel I have seen Aachen from an insider's perspective, all the great architectural details and the little quirks which make it unique. I will look forward to your occasional postings and hope we meet again!
Dude, that came from nowhere! Serious congrats fella, I'm happy for you. You're one of the friendly faces on here, and I always look forward to reading and viewing your posts.
I'm going to do exactly what you're doing when I finish; keep posting but only commit to one new shoot a week. I want my life back!
Congratulations Steve, well done! What better to use than a portrait on the iconic Domplatz! :-) Hope to still seeing your shots around every now and then :)
Congratulations! I have loved your photos and the street perspective you reflected in your shots of the city of Aachen. I am glad you are going to do a weekly post... It will keep us up to date on the goings on in the city. Now have a great night knowing you accomplished an amazing task! Great shot for your 365th!
Congratulations for finishing your project! Well done! You end it with a great photo, really nice. Too bad you won't continue with another 365 project but I hope I will see some of your photos from time to time. Do you have a Flickr account where I can continue seeing your photos?
Gratulation, Steve!!! I have really, really enjoyed your photos, your perspective, and the fabulous pictures of Aachen and German life. Thank you for that.
I'm so glad you're continuing on in some manner, you would otherwise be missed... In the meantime, enjoy some glorious German beer and time with your loved ones!
Congratulations! What an accomplishment.
You've taken so many wonderful photos throughout the year and I am really happy to read that you are continuing the project, albeit in your own way.
Your final shot is great, you look so relieved and relaxed, lol!
Congratulations on your "graduation"! I'm glad you'll still be posting. I only became acquainted with your work toward the end of your project, but I've really enjoyed seeing Aachen and your "neck of the woods" through your photos. At this point in time, I'm unable to travel, so it provided me with the opportunity to see new places without leaving home. What a great shot to finish the project with (you look so pleased with yourself (o: as you should be!). And I enjoyed catching a glimpse of what it might be like to live outside of the US for awhile. I'm glad you'll still be posting a picture or two. I'll look forward to the continued adventures of Steve!
Enjoy that beer. We'll look forward to more of your talent. This is a great community, isn't it?
I'm going to do exactly what you're doing when I finish; keep posting but only commit to one new shoot a week. I want my life back!
That sounds like a good call, to do a photo a week too
I'm so glad you're continuing on in some manner, you would otherwise be missed... In the meantime, enjoy some glorious German beer and time with your loved ones!
You've taken so many wonderful photos throughout the year and I am really happy to read that you are continuing the project, albeit in your own way.
Your final shot is great, you look so relieved and relaxed, lol!