| Revision as of 15:50, 5 March 2006 editTom Lougheed (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,123 editsm made soft focus a link← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:17, 5 March 2006 edit undoTom Lougheed (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,123 editsm added subsections to make heading shortNext edit → | ||
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| '''David Hamilton''' (born ], ]) is a ] from ]. | '''David Hamilton''' (born ], ]) is a ] from ]. | ||
| ==Life and Work== | |||
| Hamilton grew up in ]. His schooling was interrupted by ]. As a ], he spent some time in the lovely countryside of ], which inspired his work till today. After the war, Hamilton returned to London and finished school before moving to France where he has lived ever since. | Hamilton grew up in ]. His schooling was interrupted by ]. As a ], he spent some time in the lovely countryside of ], which inspired his work till today. After the war, Hamilton returned to London and finished school before moving to France where he has lived ever since. | ||
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| His photographs were in great demand by other magazines such as ''Realites'', ''Twen'' and ''Photo''. By the end of the sixties, Hamilton's work had a recognizeable style. His further success included many dozens of photographic books with combined sales well into the millions, five feature films, countless magazine publishings and scores of museum and gallery exhibitions. His ] style also came back into fashion at ''Vogue'', ''ELLE'' and other high-class fashion magazines from around ]. | His photographs were in great demand by other magazines such as ''Realites'', ''Twen'' and ''Photo''. By the end of the sixties, Hamilton's work had a recognizeable style. His further success included many dozens of photographic books with combined sales well into the millions, five feature films, countless magazine publishings and scores of museum and gallery exhibitions. His ] style also came back into fashion at ''Vogue'', ''ELLE'' and other high-class fashion magazines from around ]. | ||
| ==Controversy== | |||
| As much of Hamilton's work depicts early-teen girls, often in a state of partial disrobe, he has been the subject of some controversy and even ] allegations, mostly from North America and Britain, similar to that which the work of ] and ] have attracted. In the late ], American extreem christian conservatives protested bookstores that stocked Hamilton's photography books but their efforts came to nothing. Because of differing attitudes regarding age and nudity, Hamilton has not received this negative attention in his adopted home of France, nor in the rest of the world. | As much of Hamilton's work depicts early-teen girls, often in a state of partial disrobe, he has been the subject of some controversy and even ] allegations, mostly from North America and Britain, similar to that which the work of ] and ] have attracted. In the late ], American extreem christian conservatives protested bookstores that stocked Hamilton's photography books but their efforts came to nothing. Because of differing attitudes regarding age and nudity, Hamilton has not received this negative attention in his adopted home of France, nor in the rest of the world. | ||
Revision as of 16:17, 5 March 2006
David Hamilton (born April 15, 1933) is a photographer from Britain.
Life and Work
Hamilton grew up in London. His schooling was interrupted by World War II. As a soldier, he spent some time in the lovely countryside of Dorset, which inspired his work till today. After the war, Hamilton returned to London and finished school before moving to France where he has lived ever since.
His artistic skills began to emerge during a job at an architect's office. At age 20, he went to Paris, where he worked as graphic designer for Peter Knapp of ELLE magazine. After becoming known and successful, he was hired away from ELLE by Queen magazine in London as art director. Hamilton soon realized his love for Paris, however, and after returning there became the art director of Printemps, the city's largest department store. Hamilton began photographing commercially while still employed, and the dreamy, grainy style of his images quickly brought him success.
His photographs were in great demand by other magazines such as Realites, Twen and Photo. By the end of the sixties, Hamilton's work had a recognizeable style. His further success included many dozens of photographic books with combined sales well into the millions, five feature films, countless magazine publishings and scores of museum and gallery exhibitions. His soft focus style also came back into fashion at Vogue, ELLE and other high-class fashion magazines from around 2003.
Controversy
As much of Hamilton's work depicts early-teen girls, often in a state of partial disrobe, he has been the subject of some controversy and even child pornography allegations, mostly from North America and Britain, similar to that which the work of Sally Mann and Jock Sturges have attracted. In the late 1990s, American extreem christian conservatives protested bookstores that stocked Hamilton's photography books but their efforts came to nothing. Because of differing attitudes regarding age and nudity, Hamilton has not received this negative attention in his adopted home of France, nor in the rest of the world.
In 2005 a member of the Surrey Police in Britain wrongly claimed that possessing Hamilton books was now illegal in the UK. Surrey Police were later forced to make a formal apology for the incorrect and unsubstantiated allegations made by Detective constable Simon Ledger (see: British Journal of Photography, September 2005), and admitted that no legally binding decision had been made on the work of David Hamilton.
The Guardian (UK), June 23, 2005, wrote: Hamilton's photographs have long been at the forefront of the "is it art or pornography?" debate. Glenn Holland, spokesman for the 71-year-old photographer, who lives in St Tropez, said: "We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this, as David is one of the most successful art photographers the world has ever known. His books have sold millions".
Books and films
Some of David Hamilton's photograph books are:-
- Dreams of a Young Girl (1971)
- Sisters (1973)
- Souvenirs (1974)
- Twenty-Five Years of an Artist (1993)
- The Age of Innocence (1995)
- A Place In The Sun (1996)
- Holiday Snapshots (1999)
Hamilton's films were:-
- Bilitis (movie) (1977)
- Laura (1979)
- A Summer in St. Tropez (1981)
- Tendres Cousines (1980)
- Premier Desires (1983)