TinyTAN Encore Edition Lands at McDonald’s
Yesterday marked the release of the TinyTAN Encore Edition at McDonald’s, the follow-up to the Throwback set that launched earlier this month. TinyTAN, the chibi-style characters created by Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE) and modeled after BTS, have now returned to the Happy Meal lineup in new outfits.
This time, the figures include RM, Jung Kook, and Suga — shown here with the standard Happy Meal spread of hamburgers, Chicken McNuggets, fries, and apple slices. Collectible toys meet fast food again, because in 2025 nothing is too big or too small to be packaged for consumption.
I photographed this arrangement as part of my Bag to Background series, where the food and toys are presented as-is, straight from the bag, against a stark black background. The contrast is simple: pop culture and fast food, side by side, neither elevated nor diminished, just existing in their own commercial truth.
If you’d like to see more of my fast food work — from burgers and burritos to sushi and sandwiches — visit the gallery Food From Bag To Background at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0
TinyTAN Toys Arrive at McDonald’s
Yesterday marked the first day of McDonald’s new tie-in with TinyTAN, the chibi-style characters created by Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE) and based on the members of BTS. BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Bulletproof Boy Scouts,” is a seven-member South Korean pop group that has become one of the most influential music acts in the world.
These TinyTAN figures have appeared in animations and merchandise before, but now they’re standing watch over hamburgers and Chicken McNuggets.
The promotion brings the toys into Happy Meals, paired with either a hamburger or McNuggets, fries, apple slices, and milk. A reminder that pop culture, K-pop, and fast food are all equally collectible in their own ways.
I suppose this counts as a newsworthy event. The photograph here was made in response to a request from ZUMA Press for syndication.
If you’d like to see fast food photographed in ways no toy could ever compete with, take a look at my gallery Food From Bag To Background here: https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0
Record Setting!
Since starting up the video section on my website on July 10th, I am amazed with it’s success. This is through 5:00pm today July 26th. Today set a new record of 2,756 views. My videos are indeed risqué going back to behind the scenes from my photoshoots. And I am starting to add in some of my aviation videos. If you want to take a look, go to my website at SecondFocus.com click on the Menu Bar at the top and go to Videos. I think they are great fun! Thanks!
Video Again
I started up the video component of my work again. I had let it lapse for some time. On July 10th I renewed it and have been uploading my first explorations in video. Mostly somewhat behind the scenes of my photoshoots. Handheld cameras, short video clips, somewhat explicit. I think today looking back, they are great fun. And I guess my viewers do too. Not bad for just 7 days. On my website, click the menu bars at the top and click video. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Not Typical BTS
Not your typical behind the scenes setup, except maybe for me. Shooting the board of directors for the Palm Springs Air Museum in front of two aircraft, showing both fully and the sign on the hangar. Two rows of 19 people sitting and standing. And very simply it came out perfect. Will show the final photograph when it is released. Could not be happier with the results!
Lighting was the Broncolor 1200L Move, Broncolor Para 133 and a Broncolor Octabox for some fill. Had to balance it all out with the Sun in and out of some overcast, low behind me to my right. Camera was a Hasselblad H4D-40 with the Hasselblad HC 50mm lens.
Everything was all set up and ready to go before anyone got there. I shot 12 frames in succession in no more than two minutes.
SecondFocus Blog 