# Emotive & Aggressive Portraits Tom Hoops Dares Us to Look, Then Dares Us to Look Away By Ryan Hinkson | Published 2009-09-11 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tom-hoops-portrait References: [tomhoops](http://www.tomhoops.com) & [x-equals](http://x-equals.com/blog/?p=1424) They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I was at a loss for any when I first stumbled across the work of [freelance photographer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1) Tom Hoops. These hypnotizing and at times frightening images come courtesy of an unforgiving yet honest lens. Tom Hoops is a British photographer who specializes in [black and white photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/profiles-in-color) and does most of his work in and around London and southeast Asia. A genius with a camera, Hoops ironically got his start taking pictures out of a desire to paint. He figured that he could [take pictures of things or people](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-powered-portrait-studio) and later paint them. Lucky for us, Tom Hoops picked up that camera. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Black-and-white Photography:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced image processing software that can convert color photos to high-quality black-and-white images. - **Emotive Portraits:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create AI-powered facial expression recognition technology to analyze and interpret emotions captured in portraits. - **Freelance Photography:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build an online platform that connects freelance photographers with clients in need of professional photography services. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Artificial Intelligence:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply AI algorithms to the field of photography to automate and enhance various processes such as image editing and analysis. - **Tech Startups:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish a tech startup that focuses on developing innovative photography equipment and software for professional photographers. - **Digital Marketplaces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a digital marketplace specifically designed for freelance photographers to showcase and sell their work to a global audience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Skateboard-Themed Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rabbit-hole-1.md) - [Raw Sports Emotion Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-exhibition.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [British Youth-Culture Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-away.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Interactive Colorful Art Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-hockney-bigger-closer.md)