Arnaud Teicher, born 1985, lives and works in south of France. Arnaud has graduated from graphic design, but he spends his time between work as a graphic designer and his passion for photography.
How did you get interested in photography? Do you have an educational artistic background?
I used to spend a lot of time on the mountains as a kid, and at the age of 17 I began taking pictures for fun. After a few years of experimenting with different photographic techniques, I started to build the foundations of my landscape photography. I studied graphic design, with particular interest to the book design.
Where do you get your creative inspiration from? Is there any other artist or photographer who inspired your art?
I find my inspiration in different cultural areas. Art, wilderness, and literature play a key role in the directions I establish for myself, or just follow. In particular the “nature writing movement” influences my research on nature. I am interested in projects of different photographers such as Laura McPhee, Alec Soth, Ron Jude, Ben Huff… I think those artists question the concept of territory and that’s what interested me.
How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph or series of photographs? Do you have any preferences regarding cameras and format?
I shot the Alpine passes photographs in medium format analog photography but actually I’m working on large format 4×5 inch, this requires a lengthy set up and allows me to deeply focus on each image. It’s a unique experience that plunged me in an intimate relationship with the environment around me.
Tell our readers more about your award winning project „Alpine Passes”.
I love the mountains since forever. I ride through the alpine passes I’ve photographed for the project quite often, but each time it’s a new surprise. Since 2012, I bring attention to French altitude alpine passes. What I especially like about them is how you pass from one valley to another without knowing what you’ll find on the other side. For me, alpine passes are key places to understanding the nature of mountainous landscapes.
With the Cols Alpins project I aim at identifying the different features of a mountain in climatic, natural, human and cultural terms. France’s alpine passes are characterized by a great diversity of landscape. Some are in the south, closer to the Mediterranean region; others in the north are more continental and at a higher altitude. The climate varies a lot too, and this reflects on the cultural and economic status of the passes. Several are in high density tourist areas, which produced economic development. For instance, the « col du Lautaret » is located on a major road – throughout the year, you will find a restaurant, a supermarket and various souvenir shops. On the contrary, the « col des Champs » in the south-east of France has no infrastructures except for a wood sign indicating the altitude.
Where is your photography going? What are you currently working on and do you have any photographic plans for future?
I am currently working on a project about the definition of the alpine territory providing an importance on the details to the geological and natural elements. The evolution of the Alpine environment will be influenced by climate change as a consequence with a major environmental crisis.
What are your three favourite photography books?
Grays the Mountain Sends – Bryan Schutmaat
River of No Return – Laura McPhee
Glaciers – Aurore Bagarry
What do you do besides photography?
I work as a independent graphic designer but I try to spend as much time as possible in the mountains, if not, quiet at home with my two cats.
Website: arnaudteicher.com
