Tuesday 20 October 2026
On Tuesday evening we welcomed professional photographer Chris Upton, joining us virtually from Nottinghamshire, for an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on “Essential Composition”.
Specialising in travel, landscape and social documentary photography, Chris is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and was a proud Fujifilm brand ambassador for eight years.
Chris began with a simple message: before thinking about how to take a photograph, we should first ask ourselves “What?” and “Why?” What is it that has caught our attention, and why do we want to capture it? By answering these questions, we can make more considered creative decisions and produce images that communicate our intentions more effectively.
Chris explored five key elements of composition: Flow, Balance, Depth, Dynamism and Simplicity, illustrating each with examples and practical advice.
Flow – Guiding the viewer’s eye
How do we lead viewers into a photograph, and how do we encourage them to explore it rather than simply glance and move on? Chris discussed familiar techniques such as the Rule of Thirds and leading lines, alongside more subtle ways of directing attention. Contrast can be particularly effective, whether between sharpness and softness, light and dark, or warm and cool colours. The thoughtful use of negative space can also help guide the eye and give a subject room to breathe.
Balance – Creating visual harmony
Balance is about how the different elements within a frame relate to one another. Chris demonstrated how two areas of interest can complement each other, and how triangular arrangements can help create a satisfying composition. He also highlighted the importance of cropping: removing distracting details can strengthen an image and prevent unwanted elements from drawing the viewer’s attention away from the main subject.
Depth – Adding a sense of dimension
A successful photograph can do more than record a scene; it can give the viewer a sense of being there. Chris encouraged us to consider the relationship between foreground, middle distance and background, and how these layers can be separated to create depth. Sometimes, a carefully chosen foreground alone can provide a strong sense of space, while repeating layers can draw the viewer further into the image. Weather conditions such as rain and mist can help distinguish different planes, while the selective use of light and luminance can add further depth by illuminating certain areas and allowing others to recede into shadow.
Dynamism – Injecting energy and impact
Not every photograph needs to feel static. Chris explored ways of creating movement, energy and visual impact, both through the subject itself and through photographic technique. Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), long exposures and infrared photography can all produce striking and expressive results. He also emphasised the power of capturing gestures, particularly in social documentary photography, where a fleeting movement or interaction can bring an image to life and tell a compelling story.
Simplicity – Less is more
The final element was simplicity: stripping away competing elements so that the subject becomes the clear focus of the photograph. By being selective about what to include in the frame, we can reduce visual clutter, strengthen their message and create images that are both more immediate and more powerful.
A fresh perspective on composition
Chris’s presentation was a valuable reminder that composition is about far more than following a set of rules. It is about understanding what attracts us to a scene, deciding what we want to communicate, and using the elements within the frame to guide the viewer’s experience.
His five principles offer a practical framework for reviewing our own photographs and for making more deliberate choices when we are out with our cameras. An engaging evening, full of ideas to consider and techniques to put into practice, left us with plenty of inspiration.
To see more of Chris work (or to check out his tours and online education) click here for his website.
Or follow him on Instagram @chrisuptonphoto or Facebook Chrisuptonphoto