Black and white photos from Hamburger Eyes spotlight magazine’s street photography and impact on visual culture

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) announces its newest exhibition, The Continuing Story of Life on Earth: 25 Years of Hamburger Eyes, on view from April 23–Sept. 24, 2026 in the Main Library’s Jewett Gallery. Hamburger Eyes, which was first released as a zine devoted to black-and-white photography, has transformed into a venerated photography magazine featuring work from both emerging and established photographers who span the globe. Compelling, large format photos from more than 80 photographers will be on view in the exhibition, which will also feature every issue of Hamburger Eyes (1–57), signature books by well-known photographers, related zines and ephemera. 

Founded 25 years ago by Ray Potes in collaboration with his brother, David, and friend Stefan Simikich, Hamburger Eyes blazed a trail in documentary photo publishing and created a style simultaneously raw and profound. With distinctive black-and-white photos that capture vignettes of everyday life, Hamburger Eyes reflects the spectrum of human emotion, showcasing moments ranging from urban distress to childlike wonder.  

“Hamburger Eyes' impact on photography – street photography as well as other contemporary photography – comes from the fact that it arises from a very organic place,” said Mark Murrmann, Director of Photography at Mother Jones and longtime Hamburger Eyes contributor. “Ray Potes grew Hamburger Eyes from a small photo zine, turned that into a photo gallery and hangout space, and from that grew a community of like-minded photographers that has now become worldwide. In the 25 years that Ray has been doing Hamburger Eyes, the one thing that helps it stay relevant is its adherence to an original organic, street-level look and feel of the work. In a word, in 25 years, Ray has kept it real.” 

“We're thrilled to be hosting this exhibition honoring the 25th anniversary of Hamburger Eyes at the Main Library,” said Megan Merritt, SFPL’s senior curator of exhibitions. “Ray sidesteps the temptation to keep pace with the maelstrom of images that inundate us through social media and in so doing, has created an iconic photography magazine that is lauded by photographers and collectors. Ray created a niche global community of photographers whose photos disarm and connect us in ways that social media cannot. It’s the antithesis of consumer culture. A print publication that notices the overlooked, revels in the details, and offers an experience that is both visual and tactile.”  

Potes started the zine as a creative way to exchange photos with friends, naming it after a colloquial term he and his friends used: “that girl is giving you hamburger eyes.” What began as a simple DIY project 25 years ago has transformed into an established photography magazine featuring work from a global network of photographers today.   

"To be able to publish all of these photos over all of these years and then to be able to celebrate it in a San Francisco institution, it is an honor. The greatest honor,” said Potes. His most recent publication, Hamburger Eyes – The First 25 Years, a book celebrating the magazine’s 25th anniversary, coincides with the Jewett Gallery exhibition.  

Additionally, SFPL is hosting programs related to Hamburger Eyes throughout the summer. On Saturday, June 20, the Library is hosting a street photography workshop and walk, in partnership with the Harvey Milk Photo Center (HMPC). The workshop starts at the Main Library with a brief tour of the exhibition and continues in the streets near the HMPC.  

For more information about the exhibition and its related programs, visit: sfpl.org/exhibitions. 

Opening Reception – April 23, 5 p.m., Main Library, Jewett Gallery, Lower Level  

Exhibition – April 23 –Sept. 24, 2026. Main Library, Jewett Gallery, Lower Level 

About Ray Potes 
Ray Potes has worked on many projects with many companies and institutions including SFMOMA, San Francisco Public Library, Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art, Innen, Arches Global, Futur, Supreme, Keep Company, Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Nike, Levi’s, Vans, Huf, Vice, Giant Robot, Primitive Skills, Apartamento, Honolulu Weekly, Transworld Media and more.