[Paying the Beaters]. Albumen print, Getty Museum. Public domain photograph.

Hooper was born in London, England on 9 November 1837. He joined the British Army in 1855 and served in various campaigns including the Indian Mutiny, the Second Opium War and the Abyssinian Campaign. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired from the army in 1885. After his retirement, Hooper became interested in photography and travelled extensively, photographing people and landscapes in India, Egypt, Palestine and other parts of the world. He also wrote several books about his travels and experiences, including 'Through the Highlands of Siberia' and 'The Tourist's Guide to Egypt'. Hooper died in London, England, on 14 September 1912. His photographs are now held in collections around the world, including the British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.