He has been seen as one of the leading fine art photographic printers of the twentieth century. He strove to produce photographs that were each unique pieces of creative work. In this quest he mastered and improved many historic processes and has contributed to photographic science a number of new printing processes including making photographic images upon hand made watercolour paper and copper sheets.
He was sponsored by Kodak and featured in their Professional Journal. These processes have been published in the photographic press. His photographs have been and continue to be published by journals and magazines world wide.
His work has often examined the darker side of female sexuality alongside his more traditional erotic pictures. Much of his later work is inspired by sadomasochistic subjects. This particular theme has made this aspect of his work controversial though its reflection upon the power and private expression of women has brought a new sensitivity and respect to this subject. His unique and distinctive style of image has often been the inspiration for the work of other photographers.
In 1996 he was awarded the global title of Erotic Photographer of the Year.
His work is in many private collections around the world including the collection of the Museum of Erotic Art, Miami, USA. Over the past twenty years he has been included in many exhibitions of erotic art and photography, and he had a one-man show at Editions Graphic Gallery in London’s West End. He had a one-man show of landscape work using hand made photographic processes at The Sterts Centre Bodmin, Cornwall. In 2005 he was invited to exhibit six pictures in the erotic art exhibition of the Brighton Fringe, Brighton England. His work has appeared in many book compilations.
China Hamilton's photographs have recently been included in the new and most comprehensive publication by Taschen featuring the work of 82 of the World's most significant photographers of the erotic, "The New Erotic Photography".
He has been selected as a Juror for the global 2007 Erotic Signature Competition.
Collections of his work are published as:-
“A View From Behind” The Erotic Print Society, London, England.
“Woman” Published by St. Martin’s Press NY. USA. The Erotic Print Society, London, and editions in France and Australia.
“BitterSweet Sex” The Erotic Print Society.