VISUAL CITY
It’s taking years for Richard Koci Hernandez to work through his thing for hats.
How come? “It’s such a visceral attraction, one that often has me going to great lengths to capture the ‘man in the hat.’ I’ve jumped into oncoming traffic and put myself in harm’s way to get the shot,” the photographer, author, professor, producer, and journalist says. “I knew it was something deep inside me. I avoided thinking about the why for so long, but I’ve finally come to terms with the answer.”
Turns out there’s some symbolism involved: “It’s not a fashion statement and it’s not about the hats themselves — it is the man under the fedora. It’s really about looking for the father I never had. … In a twisted way, a man in a hat is the ideal 1950s stereotype of a father figure. So I keep coming back to the streets, searching, searching, searching.”
The longtime Bay Area resident, who has had his photos published in top-tier outlets like the New York Times, and also has taken pictures and exhibited internationally, finds San Francisco a fertile field for his explorations. “The city is so distinct and pulses with a bit of mystery. Its essence always seems to be hiding around ‘the next’ or ‘every’ corner,” he says. “When the right person walks into the perfect light, or how the strong lines of a building accentuate the human figure as it passes, those are the things I’m looking for.”
The safe bet is to keep a look out for the men wearing hats. “Shooting in SF is a constant hunt to find that iconic image … I haven’t captured it yet, but I hope to one day. It’s something beyond the tourist hot spots and stereotypical images of the city. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m having a good time trying to find out!”
All images by Richard Koci Hernandez. You can follow Hernandez on Instagram; there’s also some experimental work there, @koci_alt_delete. Follow him on Twitter @koci as well as on Facebook.
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Editor’s note: Here’s a bonus photograph by Richard Koci Hernandez of a man without a hat. You’re welcome:
