In Allan Teger’s eye-catching black and white photos, a viewer might wonder if the image is a unique landscape, a body. Or both.
And that’s fine with the Florida-based photographer who believes it is possible to see the world in more ways than one.
Artist: Teger was born and grew up in Easton, PA. On his 13th birthday, he received a camera as a gift and began chronicling the events of his family. In both high school and college, he was the photo editor of the newspaper and yearbook.
He then put photography on hold while he pursued a career in psychology. Teger earned a BA from Lafayette College (PA), an MA from the University of Delaware, and his Ph.D. S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo.
In 1976, while working as a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, he started his “Bodyscape” business.
Company/studio: The “Bodyscape” business is now based in Vero Beach, FL, where Teger has a shooting studio in town. He also has an office, plus a matting and framing studio at home.
In the beginning: Teger’s Bodyscape art grew out of his background in psychology.
“I wanted to show in art, what I had been teaching: that it was possible to see the world in more ways than one,” he said.
Art & materials: Unique landscapes produced by photographing toys and miniatures on the human body. The figurines placed on the models are from model railroads, Christmas ornaments, collector miniatures and toys.
Bodyscape images are available as matted prints ($70 and up,) large canvas prints ($1,500 and up) and large dye-sublimation prints on aluminum ($1,500 and up).
Process: Toys are placed on the body and photographed together in a single exposure to give the illusion of a landscape. Teger’s Bodyscape photographs are not done with photoshop.
Favorite tools: A Nikon camera and quartz lights.
What’s popular: The golf series. “The body’s shapes are perfect to replicate the shape of a golf course,” said Teger
Other favorites: Wine tasting, mountain climbers, and images with boats, where the body is covered with water.
Influences:
- Gestalt perceptual psychology.
- His recent studies in psychology of consciousness, spirituality and meditation.
Fun or special commissions: Many, including:
- An astrology series.
- The bodystockingscapes series, where the images are in color and the model is wearing a bodystocking “for those who want their nudes fully clothed.”
Recent project: A new (non body series called “Metaphor.” The color images are surreal, challenging our concept of reality, said Teger. And asking us to tolerate what appears to be contradictions. See the Metaphor series on teger.com
What’s next: Several upcoming art shows, including:
- Uptown Art Festival, Minneapolis, MN. Aug 4-6.
- Arts Beats and Eats, Royal Oak MI. Sept 1-4.
- James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY. Oct 6-8.
- Los Olas Art Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Oct 14-15.
- Armand’s Circle Art Festival, Sarasota, FL. Nov. 11-12.
Where to buy: www.bodyscapes.com and at art shows (see show list on my website). Also ask about commissions, where individuals and couples come to his studio to be the model for a custom series of images.
Get social: Instagram: @bodyscapes_
