Photographe du mois : Tom Hoops |

Présentation

Nous inaugurons le Comptoir Kdigit avec le photographe Tom Hoops, reconnu mondialement pour son travail associant force et esthétisme. Serial Worker parcourant le monde pour son travail de photographe de mode / photo-journaliste, Tom nous a accordé son attention pour répondre à nos questions et ouvrir ainsi les portes de son univers.

Pour chaque photographe, nous mettons en avant 4 de leur créations dans notre pied de page. Il suffit de cliquer sur les thumbs (aperçus) afin de visualiser les différentes images. concernant Tom Hoops, nous avons choisis de mettre en avant une thématique de portraits où il excèle.

Interview

1. To start could you tell us a few words about yourself ?

I am an English photographer currently based in Bangkok, Thailand. I freelance for a number magazines, companies and other professional organisations. I am primarily a portrait photographer although I get asked to shoot a lot of fashion work as that suits my style. I am also an assignment photographer with Getty images. On top of my commercial and editorial work I sell my personal photography through exhibits or my website. When my schedule allows I take on personal and group workshops for other photographers and amateurs wanting to go to the next level, creatively.

2. You are now living in Bangkok, was this a professional decision ? If so, could you tell us more about it ?

Bangkok is quite conveniently located for work around south East Asia and even globally. There are some rather well known photographers who have homes here and Bangkok has a healthy community of very talented photographers and creatives.

3. You are a self-taught photographer, I believe this gave you freedom of opportunity to maximise your art without outside influences, however, wasn’t it specifically difficult when you started?

You are right, there was a certain amount of freedom to develop my photography. I think it comes from being out of your own culture – I really wasn’t that interested in what was going on in the industry, I just knew that some shots were working for me and developed those, until I had got to the essence of what some people now acknowledge as my style. So in that way, it was far from difficult.

4. You are shooting portraits, fashion models, doing photojournalism, your field of expertise is wide … which of those experience is pleasing you the most ?

None – really it is just the individual image. I have never thought it necessary to limit the subject matter, only limit the style in which it’s shot.

5. I read into one of your latest interview that you would have loved living into the 19th century london, actually, i feel quite the same, would you say that this time / place could be one of the most inspiring to feed your mind and art ? Would you consider yourself as a Darksider ?

I think you might of been reading into my comments a little too imaginatively! Think Sweeney Todd, great costumes, interesting architecture, well-worn in faces and the contradictions of Victorian society. A lot of good subjects there for some interesting shots.

6. Which words could describe your personality the best ?

Fun,dry,sarcastic,english

Hey, I don’t think I can answer that myself, let me put it to my good buddy and he can tell you how he sees me.

+ Talented, sociable, focussed, cheerful (not in the mornings), down-to-earth and positive.
- Too trusting, too untidy, too grumpy and too damn annoyingly good at taking shots.

7. Your portraits sessions are to us, the most appealing, would you say that they are the center of your own emotions ? What motivated those series ? The Ginger series has clearly an iconic touch … Could you tell us more about this encounter ?

If you mean by the ‘centre of my emotions’ that they are the purest examples of my work, then I think I know where you are coming from they are the most definitive of my style. The motivation for these series was that the model Martin, only had some weak portfolio shots and his agent commissioned me to give him a bolder, stronger image. ‘Ginger’ as I have come to know him, is an actor and model and the passion he brings to his work is extraordinary. I wanted to get an image which captured his uniqueness and made the creative decision to take a shot of his face reflecting in water. It was taken very early in the morning as the sun was rising in the sea, off an island here in Thailand. I have worked with him three times already. One of the shots from the first shoot was exhibited in London, as part of Photographer of the Year 2009 winners exhibition. In fact, I am pleased to say that I have a shoot booked up with him at the end of this week.

8. During a session what make a photo … the right one ?

You need really to do your homework. It can be quite complex to organise the shoot in terms of preparation, the set, the concept, etc. You need a great subject and a good connection with them on the day. Good lighting of course and the image’s composition is all important. I have to say though, still with all of this… to get really great photos you have to not be too fixed in your ideas, go with a little creative spontaneity.

9. To me, B&W is offering an easy, direct and clear access to emotions, your colour shots are extremely powerful as well, could you tell us more on this duality ? What makes you decide to shoot either in B&W or in full color mode ?

Getting strong powerful images in colour is as you point out, a much harder task. It took me a while to work out how to get the same strength, however you can communicate a lot more in colour in terms of a wider range of moods and ideas. It is also the industry standard; most clients insist that the shots are in colour. Actually, I always shoot in colour and sometimes convert to black and white, after. Some shots are more suited to black and white than others I think, I make that choice when I compare the two.

10. I have been checking on your new blog, and have been checking on your prints site. It seems that Internet is now one of your important communication tool. Would you say that Internet is now a total must for a photographer as yourself ? Do you believe digital will rule over traditional formats or will there always be room for both ?

It is important to get your work there and exposed. The internet is an amazing tool and opportunity for photographers to do this. It’s an opportunity previous generations never had, and thus it should be used to it’s full potential. It’s important to exhibit your work and connect with potential clients and fans alike.

Will there be room for film as well as digital, yes of course. Ironically, I think digital will be the saviour of film in the end, as more digital users who have only ever known digital, get curious about film and want to try it.

11. Who are your influences? Are other kind of arts ( literature / cinema … ) sources of inspirations for you ?

No one or nothing in particular, consciously anyway.

12. Are you the only judge of your own work before release ?

Mostly yes, I will run it past others from time to time but ultimately I make the final decision.

13. Could you tell us more about your workshops plans ?

I try and keep the workshops creative and simple. They are ideal for photographers and amateurs who want to get great results without spending their vast sums on equipment. It is a great way to help other photographers really gain some insight into their work and make real progress. They are set in quality locations with top quality agency models and make up artists. This year I have some in Palm Springs, New York and London.

14. Do you pay much attention to post processing your images? If so, assuming you are using Photoshop what’s your benefit with it ?

It is a myth that you can get strong creative images using editing software. If ‘it’ isn’t in the photo shot then you won’t get ‘it’ in the final image. What it does allow you to do is to touch up to intensify what you have got, or in some cases particularly with models who are having issues with their skin that day, allow you to take things away.

15. Web-design is now existing for 15 years, photography for centuries…
From a web-designer to a photographer, i’d like to say that digital formats should be much more aesthetics and much more emotional, would you have some tips / advices to make this happen ?

Keep it simple, keep your main subject strong and emotional, remove any clutter and only include other elements if they enhance your main subject.