Judith Preston

BACKGROUND: Born in Boston and raised in the New England countryside, I spent a great deal of time outdoors at a young age. This was the beginning of my love of nature and appreciation of the natural world. A logophile also, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English at a state college in New Hampshire in the 1970’s. It was here, working in the Audio-Visual department making copy slides, that I discovered photography. The work of Minor White and Ansel Adams leapt off the pages of the books I made slides from. The black and white images were exquisite and intrigued and enchanted me. I took a beginning class in photography and that was it. I pursued photography on my own for several years, photographing the landscape wherever I lived or visited (Vermont, Oregon, Mexico, Greece) and joining community groups wherever possible. Wanting to immerse myself in the art and craft of the medium I had fallen in love with, graduate school beckoned. Two years at Ohio University and then relocating to San Diego brought me to where I am now – an educator and active photographer.WORK: I began experimenting with black & white infrared film for my landscape photographs in order to communicate what I feel is the spiritual quality of nature. Continuing with my interest in landscape photography, I used the Holga plastic camera to explore color representations of the natural world. My interest was in how the introduction of a little piece of plastic in between the viewer and the scene can create an altered reality -- a virtual reality -- tied to our memories of the past; dream-like, nostalgic, and wistful. Although appreciative of the grand views of nature, I gravitate toward details of the landscape. My current body of work deals with the textures, rhythms, and patterns found in nature.EDUCATION: I received my BFA in English at Keene State College in New Hampshire and my MFA in Photography at Ohio University, Athens. Until my recent retirement, I taught darkroom, digital and history of photography at several local community colleges.

photography. The work of Minor White and Ansel Adams leapt off the pages of the books I made slides from. The black and white images were exquisite and intrigued and enchanted me. I took a beginning class in photography and that was it. I pursued photography on my own for several years, photographing the landscape wherever I lived or visited (Vermont, Oregon, Mexico, Greece) and joining community groups wherever possible. Wanting to immerse myself in the art and craft of the medium I had fallen in love with, graduate school beckoned. Two years at Ohio University and then relocating to San Diego brought me to where I am now – an educator and active photographer.

WORK: I began experimenting with black & white infrared film for my landscape photographs in order to communicate what I feel is the spiritual quality of nature. Continuing with my interest in landscape photography, I used the Holga plastic camera to explore color representations of the natural world. My interest was in how the introduction of a little piece of plastic in between the viewer and the scene can create an altered reality -- a virtual reality -- tied to our memories of the past; dream-like, nostalgic, and wistful. Although appreciative of the grand views of nature, I gravitate toward details of the landscape. My current body of work deals with the textures, rhythms, and patterns found in nature.

EDUCATION: I received my BFA in English at Keene State College in New Hampshire and my MFA in Photography at Ohio University, Athens. Until my recent retirement, I taught darkroom, digital and history of photography at several local community colleges.

Fine Art Photography Portfolios

Enjoy a collection of Judith's portfolios by clicking on a gallery image below.