Outdoor Photography Canada

Story and photography by Samantha Chrysanthou and Darwin Wiggett

In October, 2011 we launched our new photo business named “oopoomoo.” (If you want to hear the back story on where the name came from, you’ll have to visit us at oopoomoo.com!) A cornerstone of what we do at oopoomoo is to teach the art and craft of photography through our eBooks, talks and workshops. In the first year of oopoomoo’s young life, we were fortunate enough to speak at over 14 events and visit places as diverse as Hof, Iceland and Trochu, AB. We learned a few things in this past year’s journey. First and foremost, Canada’s natural areas are world-class and rival any so-called “exotic” destination (and deserve our unswerving protection) and second, Canadians are awesome in their outlook on photography and life! Lest this article descend into a back-thumping, self-congratulatory affair on how cool Canada is, we do need to raise a point of concern. After speaking at over a dozen events in a year, well, you’re bound to spot common patterns emerging as your students learn how to be better photographers. What we found is that, no matter where you call home, there are five mis-steps most photographers make that keep their images from being great. We’ve distilled down a year’s worth of teaching into five fatal flaws that keep your photographs ho-hum rather than huzzah! So read on to learn how to avoid these five mis-steps so you can get your own, unique “photography groove” on …

To read more of Sam and Darwin's feature article "How to Avoid Five Fatal Flaws in your images" please pick up the January 2013 issue of OPC now!