David Hamilton: 25 Years of an Artist - A Retrospective of 4500 Artistic Photographies
For the photography technician, Hamilton’s methods are worth dissecting: David Hamilton: 25 Years of an Artist -
Central to Hamilton’s work is his signature aesthetic: the "Hamilton Blur." This iconic, gauzy effect gave his images a soft, ethereal, and romanticized quality that set him apart from the sharp, confrontational photography of his peers. He achieved this effect by favoring the fleeting, natural light of early morning and dusk, using soft-focus lenses and filters to dissolve harsh lines. Contrary to popular myth, he did not smear Vaseline on his lenses; rather, he used a complex interplay of lighting and specialized optics to evoke a painterly quality, directly citing the influence of Lucas Cranach and other Old Masters on his style. In his own words, he sought to capture the "candour of a lost paradise," an Edenic world of innocence and burgeoning femininity that was quickly becoming a relic of the past. In his own words, he sought to capture
During the height of his 25-year career, Hamilton achieved a level of commercial viability that few art photographers have ever replicated. His work successfully bridged the gap between elite galleries and mass-market consumerism. Medium / Outlet Impact and Distribution Medium / Outlet Impact and Distribution The scope
The scope of a 25-year archive typically covers several distinct phases of his career: