Dale M Reid: Dejeuner | MONOVISIONS - Black & White Photography Magazine

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

The oyster mushroom captured my imagination because of their bizarre shapes, alien textures and intricate detail. To create the best images, my preference is the brown and pink color varieties; however, with creativity, I am able to capture unique images with blue and grey color varieties. To compose the image, I experiment with the position of the mushroom cluster. The subject is best presented against a rich black background. Prior to clicking the shutter, I pay careful attention to the focus, the quality of lighting and anticipate printing the image in the darkroom. To round out my artistic expression, I use my darkroom skills to create depth and warmth in the subject. I present the image in a square format as this allows the mushroom cluster to monopolize the space.

Contemporary fine art photographer Dale M Reid has gone through many transitions in life: from leaving the corporate world and entering the art world, to the discovery of inter-femininity and a new outlook on life. Photography has always played an important role in Dale’s life; however, since 1999 she has developed and moved into a second career as a fine art photographer. Dale’s outlook on life changed drastically when her life partner and soulmate was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite the challenges over the years, their relationship continues to grow stronger. Inspired by studying other photographers work and other art forms, her artwork has been compared to classical photographers such as Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, as well as to contemporary photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Cindy Sherman.
In creating her artwork, Dale exclusively uses black & white film and traditional photography methods. The lack of color allows the viewer to focus on the variety of textures and the richness of interesting lines and shapes that engage in an elegant visual synthesis onto each photograph.

Website: www.dalemreidphotography.com

‘Dejeuner’ was the Black & White Abstract Series of the Year 3rd place Winner in the MonoVisions Photography Awards 2017