David Hilliard (American, b.1964) is a Contemporary photographer known for his panoramic photographs. Hilliard was born in Lowell, MA, and received a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art, before going on to earn an MFA from Yale University.
His photographs are usually triptychs or larger compositions, using vibrantly colored subjects. Panel by panel, Hilliard shifts the focal plane of the subject in his photographs. These photographs can be viewed as singular pieces or as a series, much like a film. He often uses physical distance between subjects to illustrate emotional distance to the viewer. Hilliard draws upon his own tensions, fears, and conflicting emotions about his sexuality to deliver photographs that speak universally. He arranges his subjects so that one single photograph can represent the passage of time.
