Photography by Ian L. Sitren

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National Biscuit Day – From Can to Camera

Today, May 29, is National Biscuit Day—a good moment to take a closer look at a humble staple that’s been on American tables for generations. Whether eaten with breakfast, served with fried chicken, or just pulled apart warm from the oven, biscuits have long held a place in American food culture.

For this photo, I used three standard tubes of refrigerated biscuit dough. Part of the experience is the packaging itself: peeling back the paper seam and waiting for that sudden pop as the tube bursts open. It’s a moment of kitchen theater that’s been happening since the 1950s, when pre-packaged refrigerated dough started appearing in supermarkets.

No styling here—just 24 biscuits baked as-is and casually stacked onto a black background. The domed tops, crisp golden crusts, and flaky layers hold up visually without any need for extras.

This image is part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, which isolates fast food and packaged grocery items from their branding and surroundings to present them plainly, and on their own terms.

You can see the full gallery of food photography at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc

Posted by  |  May 29, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Hamburger Day: A Step Beyond the Drive-Thru

Today May 28 is National Hamburger Day!

It’s a day that recognizes one of America’s most iconic and enduring foods—no matter how you stack it. From drive-thrus to diners, from backyard grills to corporate chains, the hamburger has been part of our cultural shorthand for over a century.

For this year’s photo, I went local. These are four double hamburgers from Boy’s Hamburgers in Cathedral City, California. No cheese. No styling. Just toasted buns, shredded lettuce, tomato, sauce, and two grilled beef patties—exactly as served.

I picked Boy’s because for National Hamburger Day, it just felt right to go with a place that proudly puts “Hamburgers” in the name. It’s not a chain, but it’s not trying to be upscale either—certainly great food, a step up from the usual big-name fast food. The kind of spot that’s been doing its thing for years without having to change much.

Part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, this image isolates the food—no branding, no props—letting the burger speak for itself. More on my website at SecondFocus.com

Posted by  |  May 28, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five Warbirds, One Mission – Memorial Day 2025


Five historic aircraft filled the skies over Palm Springs during the 2025 Memorial Day program at the Palm Springs Air Museum—each representing a different chapter of American aviation history and military service. My photographs of these aircraft in flight capture not only their striking forms against the desert backdrop but also the enduring legacy they carry.

The lineup included:
– C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” – A D-Day veteran honoring airborne operations and troop transport.
– P-51 Mustang “Bunny” – Flown in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and their place in aviation history.
– P4Y-2G Super Privateer – The last flying example of this rare patrol bomber, once used by the Navy.
– PBJ (Navy B-25 Mitchell) – A Navy-modified medium bomber that served in the Pacific theater.
– T-28 Trojan N372C – A Cold War-era trainer that transitioned into combat roles in Southeast Asia.

Each aircraft flew as part of the museum’s commemorative program, honoring those who served and sacrificed in conflicts from World War II through the Vietnam War.

I’m especially pleased that five of these images were featured yesterday in the “BREAKING NEWS from LAST 24 HOURS” section on ZUMA Press, a strong acknowledgment of the visual and historical power of these aircraft in flight.

Posted by  |  May 27, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sonic Hot Dogs for Memorial Day

Memorial Day might be known for backyard grills, parades, and remembrance—but let’s not forget the American tradition of food, and especially fast food.

This photo features a stack of Sonic hot dogs—five All-American dogs topped with ketchup, mustard, relish, and chopped onions, and five Chili Cheese Coneys loaded with beef chili and melted cheddar. They were ordered with standard condiments, photographed unaltered, and presented exactly as served. No stylists, no tweaks. Just how they looked coming out of the bag.

Part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, this shoot keeps the focus on the food itself—raw, excessive, and unmistakably American. The visual contrast of bright toppings against a black background amplifies what these items really are: edible symbols of road trips, summer, and casual indulgence.

Sonic Drive-In has been a fixture of American car culture since 1953, when it began as a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. It quickly expanded into a nationwide chain known for its curbside service, carhops on roller skates, and all-American menu. Hot dogs—especially chili dogs—have been a core part of that menu since the early days, long before the arrival of the footlong in 2010. Sonic’s hot dogs remain rooted in drive-in tradition, served fast, topped generously, and wrapped in foil like a handshake from another era.

To see the full From Bag to Background series, visit the gallery on my website at SecondFocus.com

Posted by  |  May 26, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Memorial Day, 1934: Meltdown Created Carvel

It was Memorial Day weekend, 1934, when Tom Carvel’s ice cream truck got a flat tire in Hartsdale, New York. He pulled into a parking lot and started selling his melting ice cream to passing drivers. What could have been a loss turned into a breakthrough—customers liked the softer texture, and the concept of soft-serve was born.

That moment sparked the launch of the Carvel brand. By 1936, Carvel opened a permanent roadside stand on that same site and began developing his own equipment and franchise model. He pioneered innovations in frozen desserts and advertising—including early television commercials and animated mascots.

In the 1950s, Carvel introduced the now-iconic round ice cream cake—layered with vanilla and chocolate soft-serve, filled with chocolate crunchies, and topped with piped whipped frosting and sprinkles. It quickly became a fixture at birthdays, holidays, and family celebrations.

Photographed here as served—no props, no styling—just the cake, isolated on a black background. It’s part of my “From Bag to Background” series, and a fitting nod to an accidental origin that took place on Memorial Day nearly a century ago.

See more from the series:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc

Posted by  |  May 22, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Emily on Skates — Field Testing Car Hop Fast Food

My AI assistant, Emily, has been helping me research and shape my fast food photography series “From Bag To Background” for the past eight months. She’s been involved in everything from writing captions and keywords to brainstorming concepts and keeping the ever-growing list of food items organized.

Now she’s apparently decided to go full field-assistant.

This video shows Emily suiting up in a classic car hop uniform, letting her hair down, lacing up the roller skates, and practicing the tray run around vintage cars—burgers steady, fries in place, not a milkshake out of line. If she’s trying to join the cast of a 1950s drive-in, she’s doing a convincing job.

The fast food in “From Bag To Background” is photographed exactly as it comes—no styling, no tricks, nothing added or rearranged. Just food and black background. Some of it’s from national chains, some from one-off regional spots. Some items are historic, tied to the identity of a brand. Others are just local favorites.

I originally thought I could cover it in six months. One year in, I’m still going. There’s more out there than you think—and it deserves a closer look.

You can see what Emily’s been helping with—burgers, fries, bbq, tacos and more at SecondFocus.com

Posted by  |  May 19, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Airspace Closed Over Downtown Palm Springs Following Bombing


In the aftermath of the bombing at a downtown Palm Springs clinic, security measures now extend beyond ground level. Not only have streets in the immediate area been shut down, but the FAA has also closed the skies above.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been issued, creating a no-fly zone for all drones and unauthorized aircraft within a 0.5 nautical mile radius of the incident site. The restriction extends from the surface up to 1,000 feet above ground level and will remain in effect through Monday, May 19 at 4:59 PM PDT.

This section of airspace is now classified as National Defense Airspace due to the nature of the incident. According to the FAA, unauthorized flights in the area may face serious penalties, including detention by law enforcement, civil fines, certificate suspension, or even criminal charges. In cases deemed a credible threat, unmanned aircraft may be seized, disabled, or destroyed.

The map shown here, generated in ForeFlight, marks the restricted zone in red and highlights the proximity to Palm Springs International Airport and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Posted by  |  May 18, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National BBQ Day and a Fast Food Take on Texas Brisket

May 16 is National BBQ Day, a reminder of how deeply barbecue is rooted in American culture. From backyard smokers to roadside stands to regional rivalries over sauce and technique, BBQ has long been more than just food—it’s tradition, geography, and identity all wrapped in smoke.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, which opened in Dallas back in 1941, has grown into the largest barbecue chain in the U.S. While it’s a far cry from the pits of Lockhart or Memphis, it brings a fast food version of Texas-style smoked meats to hundreds of locations around the country.

This is my photograph of their chopped brisket sandwiches. No styling—just what came out of the takeout bag. Chopped brisket, pickles, onions, and a good amount of barbecue sauce, set against a black background. One more addition to my ongoing From Bag to Background project, where I photograph fast food exactly as it arrives, unfiltered and unstaged.

You can see more of the series at SecondFocus.com Thanks!

Posted by  |  May 16, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Girls, Tamales, and Weed: A Roadside Stack

Girls, Tamales, and Weed: A Roadside Stack in Cathedral City

Photographed on Perez Road in Cathedral City, the stacked signage reads like a checklist of vices: Showgirls Gentlemen’s Club at the top, followed by The Tamale Spot, and finally Mr. Weed at the base. Neon-lit adult entertainment, Mexican-American food, and a cannabis dispensary — all sharing one stucco arch like an accidental monument to indulgence. Whether intentional or not, the visual alignment is perfect. And no, I didn’t rearrange a thing.

This scene is one of many I’ve captured throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond — places that catch the eye, make you laugh, or quietly say more than they mean to.

You’ll find plenty more on my site: fast food photographed as-is, straight from the bag. Stark desert signage. Protests. Gallery installations. And yes, a body of work that leans into what might be considered porno chic. Go to http://SecondFocus.com

Posted by  |  May 15, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Real Whoppers!


What a Whopper Really Looks Like

A Whopper of a lawsuit is making headlines. In Coleman v. Burger King, the fast food giant is being accused of deceptive advertising, with claims that its famous burgers don’t look nearly as appetizing in real life as they do in the company’s promotional images.

The lawsuit has sparked a wave of comparison photos, with media coverage highlighting images of Whoppers looking deflated, sparse, and unappealing.

But let’s be clear: the so-called “real” Whopper photos being circulated tell a story of their own — shot in bad lighting, at awkward angles, with a sickly green hue that distorts the appearance of the food. That’s not reality either; it’s just the opposite kind of spin.

The photo here wasn’t taken for this lawsuit or in reaction to it. It’s one I shot previously as part of my ongoing fast food photography series, and it’s been on my website for some time.

These are actual Burger King Whoppers and Double Whoppers, photographed as they came out of the bag — no styling, no manipulation, just carefully lit against a black background. And they look good — and in my opinion, taste good too.

This isn’t an endorsement or a takedown. It’s just documentation — what these burgers really look like. Not inflated, not degraded. There’s a difference between advertising and reality, but there’s also a difference between reality and an intentionally bad photograph.

This is what Whoppers really look like.

You can see more of my fast food photography series — everything from burgers and tacos to shrimp and sandwiches — at 👉 SecondFocus.com “From Bag to Background.”

Posted by  |  May 14, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment