A Deli Icon for National Reuben Day and My St. Patrick’s Day Favorite
March 14 – National Reuben Sandwich Day
A true deli icon. My photograph of a Reuben sandwich—layered with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on crispy grilled rye. A sandwich with history, tracing its roots to early 20th-century America. Some say it was created in Omaha during a late-night poker game in the 1920s, while others credit Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. Either way, it’s been a staple for over a century.
And with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, this is my way to enjoy corned beef, instead of corned beef and cabbage, which I don’t like a lot!
See more of my food photography and other intriguing photo projects at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Ruffles Have Ridges: A Crisp Drop for National Potato Chip Day
Today, March 14th, is National Potato Chip Day—celebrating the snack that’s been crunching since 1853. Americans eat over 1.85 billion pounds of chips a year, but Ruffles stand apart. Since 1958, their signature ridges have delivered extra crunch, extra flavor, and a chip built for serious dipping.
🎥 Watch as “Ruffles Have Ridges” in action—dropping onto the black background, catching the light, and landing with crisp perfection.
See more of my food photography and intriguing projects at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Popcorn: A Cinematic Take for National Popcorn Lovers Day
Popcorn: The Movie. Or maybe the documentary.
Either way, I shot this for today—National Popcorn Lovers Day.
Popcorn in motion, a tumble of light, airy kernels against an all-black background. No frills, no distractions—just the texture, the movement, and the simple pleasure of this timeless snack. Shot in crisp detail, this video captures the weightlessness of popcorn as it falls, a moment suspended before the next handful disappears.
This is part of my ongoing food photography project, where fast food, snack foods, and more are captured straight from the bag, isolated against a black backdrop. You can see more of my work—food, bold portraits, aviation, and other intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
The Evolution of Meatballs: Celebrating National Meatball Day
My photograph of Meatballs for today, National Meatball Day!
While the exact origins of National Meatball Day are unclear, it’s believed to have started in the United States as a way for restaurants and meatball enthusiasts to celebrate this comfort food. Over the years, the holiday has grown in popularity, with eateries offering specials and home cooks sharing their favorite recipes.
In Italy, meatballs—known as polpette—are typically small, made from a blend of pork, beef, or veal mixed with breadcrumbs, garlic, and Parmesan. Unlike the American tradition, they’re rarely served with pasta, instead enjoyed on their own or in broths.
When Italian immigrants arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they adapted their recipes to the abundance of meat available, creating larger meatballs paired with spaghetti and marinara sauce—an entirely American invention. The meatball sub soon followed, packed with marinara and melted cheese, becoming a deli staple.
See more of my Food Photography and intriguing photo shoots on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
McDonald’s Hash Browns: A Fast-Food Icon
Happy National Hash Brown Day! McDonald’s hash browns have been a breakfast favorite since their introduction in 1977. These golden, crispy patties are made from grated russet potatoes, offering a satisfying crunch on the outside and a fluffy interior. Each hash brown contains 140 calories, making it a popular choice to complement breakfast sandwiches or enjoy on its own.
Over the years, McDonald’s has played a significant role in shaping the fast-food breakfast landscape. As of 2024, McDonald’s holds approximately 34.8% of the U.S. breakfast market share, leading the industry ahead of competitors like Starbucks (16%) and Dunkin’ Donuts (14.3%).
However, recent price increases have sparked customer feedback. In some locations, the price of a single hash brown has risen to over $3, leading to discussions about affordability. McDonald’s CEO has acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining value for customers. I will say that by using the McDonald’s app to order, I personally saved $16 buying this stack of 20 to photograph.
McDonald’s hash browns remain an iconic breakfast item, symbolizing the brand’s influence on morning routines nationwide. Visit my website for more of my delicious Food Photographs and other intriguing photography. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Celebrating National Oreo Cookie Day: A Look at the World’s Best-Selling Cookie Through My Lens
It’s National Oreo Cookie Day! Since their debut in 1912, Oreo cookies have become the world’s best-selling cookie, with over 34 billion consumed annually across more than 100 countries. Originally created by the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco), the first Oreos sold for just 25 cents a pound. From the classic chocolate and creme combo to countless limited-edition flavors, Oreos have cemented their place as a global snack icon.
My photograph captures a pile of these beloved cookies, showcasing their signature design and creamy filling against a deep black background. Explore more of my food photographs and other intriguing projects on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
SpaceX Launch: ZUMA Press Photo of the Month
I’m honored to have my photograph of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch included in ZUMA Press’s Pictures of the Month for February. This image captures the dramatic ascent of Falcon 9 as it carried 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
ZUMA Press is the world’s largest independent press agency and wire service. ZUMA’s top-of-the-class photographers have won every major award—from the prestigious Pulitzer to the World Press Awards, along with multiple Best of Photojournalism (BOP) and Pictures of the Year (POYi) awards. With over 12,000 new images posted daily, ZUMA’s state-of-the-art online archive has grown to an incredible 20 million images, making it the largest purely editorial library on the web.
I’m proud to be part of such a distinguished selection of images and invite you to explore the full gallery of this month’s stunning photographs. Check out the video of February’s featured images at https://thepicturesofthemonth.com
You can also view more of my work, from fast food to aviation and many more intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!
“Forever Marilyn” Featured in The Times London and ZUMA Press
One of my photos syndicated by ZUMA Press from last week’s relocation of the “Forever Marilyn” statue in Palm Springs was licensed and featured in “The Times” of London, and other publications around the world, as well as selected as a Picture of the Day by ZUMA Press. I’m pleased to have been selected and featured for capturing this 26-foot icon being lifted and moved to it’s new location resolving a long-standing legal dispute.
The Original: 50 Years of the Egg McMuffin
March 2nd, National Egg McMuffin Day, McDonald’s iconic breakfast sandwich, has a rich history that revolutionized fast-food breakfast. It was conceived in 1971 by Herb Peterson, a McDonald’s franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by Eggs Benedict, Peterson wanted to create a portable, handheld version that could be eaten on the go. He developed a sandwich featuring a freshly cracked egg cooked in a Teflon ring, Canadian bacon, and melted cheese, all served on a toasted English muffin.
After a successful test run, the Egg McMuffin made its national debut in 1975, becoming the foundation of McDonald’s breakfast menu. Its success led McDonald’s to expand its breakfast offerings, introducing items like **hotcakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and pastries. Among these additions was the Sausage McMuffin, which replaced the Canadian bacon with a seasoned pork sausage patty, offering a heartier, more indulgent alternative. The Sausage McMuffin with Egg soon followed, combining the best elements of both sandwiches.
The success of the Egg McMuffin didn’t just transform McDonald’s—it redefined fast-food breakfast entirely. Competing chains took notice, with Burger King launching the Croissan’wich in 1983, swapping the English muffin for a flaky croissant. Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Dunkin’ also expanded their morning menus, introducing similar breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Even convenience stores and frozen food brands capitalized on the trend, offering ready-to-heat versions in grocery aisles.
2025 marks the sandwich’s 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of mornings with McDonald’s first-ever breakfast item. The Egg McMuffin’s enduring popularity not only helped cement fast-food breakfast as a daily routine but also influenced an entire industry, proving that a simple idea—an egg on an English muffin—could change the way America starts its day.
Visit my website to see my Food Photography and other intriguing photo projects. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Last Day Please Visit!
Friends in the area—tomorrow is the last day to see my largest exhibited photograph, nearly 5 feet high.
“A WET SEXUALITY OF MUSCLE” is on display at the Artists Center at the Galen, a museum-standard facility, as part of an exhibit featuring 118 artworks. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d love for you to check it out before the show closes.
This piece is all about power, resilience, and vulnerability. A sculpted figure stands under a cascade of water, droplets highlighting every muscle. The stark black background makes the play of light and shadow even more dramatic, while the water enhances her presence with an undeniable sexual energy. Dumbbells at her feet tie it all back to discipline and transformation.
If you go, let me know what you think. Thanks!
📍 **Artists Center at the Galen**
72567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA
📅 **Last day: March 1**
Hope you get a chance to see it!
“Forever Marilyn” Moves—Palm Springs Icon Shifted 30 Feet to Settle Legal Dispute
The 26-foot-tall *Forever Marilyn* statue, created by sculptor Seward Johnson, was hoisted by crane early this morning in downtown Palm Springs. This larger-than-life tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic pose from *The Seven Year Itch* was shifted roughly 30 feet to resolve ongoing legal disputes over its placement. Installed in 2021 near the Palm Springs Art Museum, the statue faced criticism and legal challenges regarding public access and aesthetic concerns. This morning’s relocation—just a short distance—marks the conclusion of the legal battles.
For those of you in the community who were upset with being able to see under her skirt and calling this misogynistic, I again looked closely and see only white painted aluminum. Not a vagina in sight. So you all must have a much better imagination than I do.
Vapor Trail Falcon 9
Last night, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch was hidden by the mountains for me. However the remaining vapor trail rose slowly in the sky above them. The colors photographed nicely and made me happy I just stayed outside instead of just going back in the house.
Aerial Survey Over Palm Springs: Bell 206-L4 with Sharper Shape Imaging System
On Saturday, many people in Palm Springs noticed a Bell 206-L4 helicopter circling the area. I took the opportunity to photograph the aircraft mid-flight and identified it as N295SJ, a privately owned helicopter equipped with a Sharper Shape Heliscope 2.0—a specialized aerial imaging system used for infrastructure inspections, power line surveys, and vegetation management.
This particular helicopter is owned by Premier Rotors LLC, a company known for providing aerial services for utility companies, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental assessments. The presence of the Heliscope 2.0 system suggests that the flight was part of a detailed survey, likely scanning power lines, roads, or other infrastructure components that require regular maintenance checks from above.
Aerial surveys like these play an essential role in detecting potential hazards, identifying vegetation encroachment, and ensuring infrastructure integrity, helping companies and local governments maintain large-scale networks efficiently. These flights are common across urban and rural landscapes, providing critical data that would be difficult to gather from the ground.
If you spotted this helicopter in the skies over Palm Springs, now you know what was happening.
Fast Casual vs. Fast Food: A Look at Farmer Boys Most Popular Sandwiches
Did you know there’s a difference between fast casual and fast food? While both offer quick service, fast casual focuses on made-to-order meals, and fresh preparation—never pre-made or heat-lamp-held.
Founded in 1981 in Perris, California, Farmer Boys is a prime example of fast casual, with over 100 locations across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Customers order at the counter or drive-thru, but the food is cooked fresh to order, using farm-fresh ingredients and generous portions that set it apart.
This photograph features four of Farmer Boys’ most popular menu items—Farmer’s Burger, Big Cheese, Loaded Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich—stacked against a deep black background. Flame-grilled beef, hand-battered crispy chicken, fresh produce, and toasted brioche buns define these sandwiches.
See my food photography, along with bold, provocative imagery, aviation, and other unexpected projects at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Photographing SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Night Launch: 23 Starlink Satellites
Photographed last night… SpaceX launch of the Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-153, NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
National Pizza Day x Super Bowl Sunday—A Perfect Pairing 🍕🏈
Today marks the rare overlap of National Pizza Day and Super Bowl Sunday, two occasions that bring people together—one for the love of football and the other for the love of pizza.
Pepperoni pizza isn’t just a favorite; it’s the most popular pizza in the U.S. While pizza’s origins go back to Naples, Italy, it evolved into something uniquely American when it arrived in the States. By the mid-20th century, the combination of crispy, spicy pepperoni and melted cheese became the go-to order, cementing its place in food culture.
One company played a major role in making pepperoni pizza a household staple: Domino’s. What started as a small operation in 1960 grew into the largest pizza chain in both the U.S. and the world, delivering millions of pizzas every day.
My photograph captures a fresh Domino’s pepperoni pizza—golden crust, bubbling cheese, and plenty of pepperoni, set against my signature black background. It’s a simple yet timeless image of the world’s favorite pizza on a day when millions will be enjoying a slice.
See more of my food photography and other work at SecondFocus.com
Now on Exhibit at the Artists Center at the Galen
My photograph, “A Wet Sexuality of Muscles,” featuring the incredible Natalie Lyle, is on display in the Juried ACE Show 2025 at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert, California. At almost 5 feet high, this is the largest piece I’ve ever exhibited. The opening reception last night drew an incredible crowd of 500 people.
The Galen is a museum-standard facility, formerly the East Campus of the Palm Springs Art Museum, making it an exceptional space to showcase work. This image explores the interplay of power, sensuality, and physical form, brought to life by Natalie’s extraordinary strength, presence, and artistry in front of the camera. Honored to have this piece selected for such a prestigious exhibition.
The show runs through March 2nd. If you’re in the area, please stop by and experience it in person. Thanks!
National Tater Tot Day: A Classic Fast-Food Favorite
Tater tots are more than just a side dish—they’re an American fast-food icon. Originally created by Ore-Ida in 1953 as a way to repurpose leftover potato scraps, tater tots quickly found their way into school cafeterias, diners, and eventually, fast-food chains.
One of the biggest champions of tater tots has been Sonic Drive-In, which has served them since at least the 1960s. Unlike many fast-food chains that focus solely on fries, Sonic made tots a signature menu item, offering them plain or loaded with cheese, bacon, ranch, or chili. Their crisp texture and deep-fried appeal make them the perfect companion to burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
To mark National Tater Tot Day, I photographed Sonic’s signature tater tots, capturing their rich golden-brown color and crispy edges against a dramatic black background. You can see this shot and more of my food photography at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy tater tots? Let me know in the comments.
The Crunch Heard Around the World: National Corn Chip Day
A heap of golden, salted corn chips against a deep black background—simple, unfiltered, and bold. Today is National Corn Chip Day, a celebration of a snack with deep roots in both American and Mexican culinary traditions.
A Brief History of the Corn Chip
Corn chips trace their origins back to ancient Mesoamerica, where indigenous cultures used ground maize to create the first versions of masa-based snacks. But the modern corn chip as we know it took off in 1932, when Elmer Doolin bought a fried corn snack recipe from a street vendor in San Antonio, Texas. He refined the process and founded Fritos, turning a humble chip into a mass-produced American staple.
Crunchy, salty, and unmistakably distinct from tortilla chips, corn chips have become a favorite whether eaten alone, smothered in chili, or loaded with toppings in a Frito pie. Their satisfying texture and bold taste have made them a permanent part of snack culture.
My Take on Corn Chips
This image captures corn chips in their raw form—no branding, no distractions, just texture and contrast. The stark black background isolates the subject, highlighting every crisp fold and golden hue. It’s a simple food, yet visually striking.
More Than Just Food Photography
This is just one side of my photography. On my website, you’ll find everything from aviation to x-rated—bold imagery that spans genres and challenges perspectives.
👉 See more at SecondFocus.com.
What’s your favorite way to eat corn chips? Let me know in the comments.
National Chocolate Cake Day
Happy National Chocolate Cake Day! Chocolate cake has been a favorite for centuries, but few desserts are as iconic as Hostess CupCakes. First introduced in 1919 and sold for just 5 cents each, they were America’s first mass-produced cupcake. The now-famous cream filling wasn’t added until the 1950s, along with the signature white swirl designed to set them apart from competitors. With over 600 million sold annually, Hostess CupCakes have cemented their place as America’s most popular chocolate cake.
More of my food photography on my website, which also includes aviation, Palm Springs, fitness, and provocative nude art photography. Explore at http://SecondFocus.com
National Fish Taco Day: Rubio’s Baja-Style Tacos
Today is National Fish Taco Day! Rubio’s, the originators of the Baja-style fish taco craze, created this holiday to celebrate their iconic dish. Back in 1983, Ralph Rubio brought the first fish taco to the U.S., inspired by the flavors of Baja California, and it quickly became a beloved classic.
This photograph showcases Rubio’s original fish tacos: crispy beer-battered fish fillets on warm corn tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage, fresh salsa, and lime wedges, all set against my signature black backdrop.
Love bold food photography like this? There’s so much more to discover! Visit http://SecondFocus.com to explore my unique take on food and much more. Dive in and look around—you might just find something that whets your appetite.
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