The arts — very much including photography — under the umbrella of expression and free speech can explore the boundaries of what is acceptable. Often these boundaries are harmless and prompt little more than a debate regarding the meta of the relevant discipline. Occasionally, however, the debate is darker in nature as the boundary being pushed is one of moral significance. The photographer and director David Hamilton was somewhat of a permanent resident of such debate and his suspected suicide recently has brought a number of questions to fruition. Hamilton worked in the creative industry from when he moved to Paris and worked as a graphic designer for Elle magazine. His talent promptly landed him the position of art director at a number of European publications while he concurrently developed a photographic style he would later become famous for. While perhaps scoffed at today, his style of dreamy, soft focus images became popular in the extreme and resulted in millions in sales, many exhibitions, myriad features, and the position of director on several films. It was Hamilton's penchant for young female, and more relevantly, nude, subjects that eclipsed his photographic style in the eyes and minds of many. His work was bombarded with criticism and Hamilton polarized opinion while treading the fine line of "art or pornography" as he tirelessly pursued his "obsession with purity" he believed to share with "Lolita" writer Vladimir Nabokov whom he drew inspiration from. The regular appearance of naked girls, often in their early to mid teens, ignited allegations that his photography was tantamount to child pornography; Few accusations bear as much devastating social impact as this.
David hamilton photographer found dead amid allegations of child rape
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British photographer was known for his images of naked young girls, but some of his former models say his motives were far from innocent. Parents rarely refused when he asked if the youngsters could come to his studio to pose, honoured that their child had been spotted by a world-famous artist. On Friday evening, days after allegations resurfaced that he had raped and sexually abused a number of his young models, the London-born photographer, who had repeatedly denied the accusations, was found dead in his Paris home. Police reported that a bottle of medication was found nearby, and declared that Hamilton, 83, had taken his own life. The man who raped numerous young girls, some of whom have come forward with courage and emotion these last few weeks.
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David Hamilton 15 April — 25 November was a British photographer and film director best known for his photography of young women and girls, mostly in the nude. It was not created that way. In October , French presenter Flavie Flament accused him of raping her in , when she was 13 years old. In November , French magazine L'Obs published anonymous accounts from three other former models affirmed to have been raped by Hamilton. Hamilton issued a statement threatening legal action against his accusers and claimed that he did not do anything wrong. On 25 November , he was found dead in his Paris apartment by apparent suicide. Hamilton was born in and grew up in London. His schooling was interrupted by World War II. As an evacuee , he spent some time in the countryside of Dorset , which inspired some of his work.
David Hamilton 15 April — 25 November was a British photographer and film director best known for his nude images of young women and girls. Hamilton grew up in London. His schooling was interrupted by World War II. As an evacuee , he spent some time in the countryside of Dorset , which inspired some of his work. After the war, Hamilton returned to London and finished his schooling.
