Fergus Reid's photographs are influenced by the modernist tradition. Some of his photographic heroes include great modernist photographers like Edward Weston, Edward Steichen, Imogen Cunningham and Aaron Siskind. Like them he is attempting to create photographs which succeed in their own right without having to rely solely on the appearance of the subject matter. It feels more important for Reid to make an image which functions successfully in terms of its composition, colour and form than to literally describe the physical world around him. He strives to make photographs which are uncluttered, balanced and harmonious.
Many of the photographs are taken in Reid's native county, Shropshire. Some result from foreign travels. However, he does not feel location is important to his work as images should speak for themselves. "A photograph taken in the back yard can be just as good as one taken in the Himalayas. It’s a question of extracting the beauty and equilibrium in the things we see around us." Reid spent his working days lecturing about the work of the great photographers, which he believes has helped improve his ability to see the world in all its aesthetic splendour.
Many of the photographs are taken in Reid's native county, Shropshire. Some result from foreign travels. However, he does not feel location is important to his work as images should speak for themselves. "A photograph taken in the back yard can be just as good as one taken in the Himalayas. It’s a question of extracting the beauty and equilibrium in the things we see around us." Reid spent his working days lecturing about the work of the great photographers, which he believes has helped improve his ability to see the world in all its aesthetic splendour.