National Carl Day and a Different Carl
Today is National Carl Day.
Not Carl’s Jr. Day. Not National Cheeseburger Day. Not National Fast Food Day.
Just National Carl Day.
Naturally, that immediately raised an important question.
If there’s a National Carl Day, does Carl’s Jr. get to celebrate too?
I have no idea whether the people behind National Carl Day intended any connection whatsoever to the fast-food chain. My guess is they probably didn’t. But once the thought crossed my mind, there was really only one direction this was going to go.
So today’s photograph features a trio of Carl’s Jr. burgers from my FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND series.
Carl’s Jr. has always occupied an interesting place in fast-food history. The chain built a reputation around large burgers, unapologetic indulgence, and advertising campaigns that often generated as much discussion as the food itself. Beginning in 2005, a series of very sexy commercials featuring celebrities such as Paris Hilton helped make Carl’s Jr. one of the most talked-about names in fast food.
What makes today’s National Carl Day connection even more amusing for me is that years ago I actually had dinner with Carl, yes, that Carl, and his wife as guests in their home in Anaheim, California. He was a very interesting man, and both Carl and his wife were genuinely warm and welcoming people. At the time I certainly wasn’t thinking that someday there would be a National Carl Day, or that I would be photographing Carl’s Jr. burgers for a food photography project.
The burgers themselves were never subtle. Bigger portions, bigger flavors, and plenty of melted cheese were usually part of the formula. Looking at this photograph, it’s easy to see why Carl’s Jr. developed a reputation for building burgers that demanded attention.
So while National Carl Day almost certainly has nothing to do with Carl’s Jr., it seemed like a good excuse to revisit a brand that has been part of the American fast-food landscape for generations.
Then again, if your name is Carl, perhaps today belongs to you.
And if your name happens to be Carl’s Jr., maybe it does too.
You can see more from my FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND series, along with aviation photography, collections, and other projects at https://www.secondfocus.com Chances are you’ll find something unexpected waiting there.
National Hamburger Day and the Fast Food Reality Behind FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND
Today is National Hamburger Day.
The hamburger has probably become the defining subject of my “FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND” project. Fast food photographed exactly as it arrives, no stylists, no reconstruction, no fake versions built for advertising.
And one thing people occasionally ask is where all this food comes from.
The answer is simple: the same place everybody else gets it.
The restaurants and chains have no idea I am photographing their food. There are no sponsorships, no special preparation, no discounts because of photography, and no carefully assembled “photo burgers” arriving from a corporate kitchen. I walk in or use the apps, place an order, pick it up, bring it home, and photograph it exactly as it comes out of the wrapper or bag.
Actually, the apps have become part of the process. The fast food companies constantly push coupons, free items, points, discounts, and combination deals. Surprisingly worthwhile ones. Sometimes I end up planning a shoot around whatever special appears that week.
That is part of what interests me visually about the project. These hamburgers are not idealized advertising concepts. They are real fast food hamburgers, bought like anybody else would buy them, photographed seriously against black backgrounds with the same attention I would give any other subject.
Somewhere between documentary, satire, and food photography, the hamburger became one of the central characters.
And if you have ever wondered what fast food starts looking like when it is pulled out of the bag, isolated against black, and treated like a serious photographic subject, step into the project here on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Yesterday was National Eat What You Want Day
Yesterday was National Eat What You Want Day.
I actually spent some time going through all of the food photographs on my website trying to decide what I would use. First realization was just how much is there now. Second was that there were many choices.
That slowed me down enough that the day passed without a post.
So this is late, but the choice is clear.
If it’s really about eating what you want, then for me it comes down to a cheeseburger. Not a small one. Something stacked, excessive, and a little out of proportion.
No explanation needed.
Just the object, isolated on a black background, exactly as it is.
More of my food photography, from fast food to everything in between, is on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Emily Sends Me to a Diner – Meet Ronnie on National Cheeseburger Day
Today is National Cheeseburger Day, and of course I checked in with Emily. Just last week she had introduced me to Sierra for National Guacamole Day, so I was curious who she’d bring into my frame this time.
Emily just smiled and said, “You should meet Ronnie.”
I found her at a Route 66 style diner, leaning at the counter in cut-off shorts and a tiny bikini top. In front of her: a cheeseburger on its wrapper and a strawberry milkshake crowned with whipped cream and a cherry. Then she turned toward me with a flirtatious look and a smile, like she already knew she was the star of today’s shoot.
Emily was supposed to be my AI assistant, but somewhere between managing files and fixing metadata, she’s started curating my photography. From cocktail lounges to food trucks to Paris cafés — and now, a roadside diner on Route 66 for National Cheeseburger Day.
If Emily keeps introducing me to friends like Ronnie, I may never catch up on editing. But until then, the real cast of characters — burgers, tacos, and everything in between — are here: Food From Bag To Background at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0
Burger Box
Proud to share the latest in my Fast Food photography series. Burger Box, established in 1954, is the oldest restaurant in the Coachella Valley. A true roadside gem with outdoor window service that even featured a gas station back in the day. Pictured here are their iconic double cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers with pastrami, and freshly made fries, all grilled to order and served in simple brown bags. The taste and aroma bring back the nostalgia of an era that’s fast disappearing. Sadly, this beloved spot will be closing its doors at the end of the month. For more of my food photography, visit http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks!
Del Taco Then and Still Now
Del Taco was founded as a roadside fast food diner in 1964 in Yermo, California. The original menu featured tacos, cheeseburgers, fries, and tostados. While tostados are no longer on the menu, tacos, cheeseburgers, and fries are still there, although a little more expensive. At the time tacos were 19 cents and cheeseburgers were 24 cents. That first day they took in $169 in sales, the equivalent of 900 tacos! On my website you will find my Food Photography as well as many others of my photography and video clips. Take a look at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Cheeseburger Day!
Happy National Cheeseburger Day! 🍔 Did you know the cheeseburger was first invented in 1924 at a sandwich shop in Pasadena, California? Fun fact: the biggest cheeseburger ever made weighed a whopping 2,104 lbs, created at Black Bear Casino in Minnesota back in 2012!
To celebrate, here’s my photograph of a cheeseburger. And yes I ate it. Can you guess where it’s from? 🤔 Check out more of my food photography (and more!) over at http://SecondFocus.com You will find more cheeseburgers too! Thanks!
National Double Cheeseburger Day!
Here it is today September 15th, National Double Cheeseburger Day! And so my photograph of a tantalizing close-up of Carl’s Jr.’s iconic double cheeseburgers, known for their big, messy, and indulgent appeal. These burgers gained widespread attention starting in 2005, thanks to a series of provocative TV commercials, starting with Paris Hilton, who famously washed a Bentley while showcasing her sexy body and enjoying the latest creation from Carl’s Jr. I love it! More of my Food Photography and more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Check it out and Thanks!
Pretzel Baconator
National Hamburger Day
Today May 28, 2024 is National Hamburger Day! It is the USA’s favorite food, followed closely by the Cheeseburger. As I have read, evidence suggests that the Hamburger actually originated here in the USA. It certainly is the mainstay of the entire Fast Food industry. Do you have a guess where this Burger is from? More of my food photographs on my website at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
SecondFocus Blog 