If you have a hopping foot, the foot only is UP when the needle is up, so if it's not going up - you may have it installed wrong.
The pressure and all that should not matter - as the needle bar is what makes it hop.
And if you did not get a hopping foot - I would suggest getting one.
on the second picture - see the bar that rides on top of the needle screw? that is what picks up the foot and allows you to move the fabric. Otherwise it holds the fabric down just like any other foot.
