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
Gas Prices
Yesterday I went out and photographed something that’s been sitting in plain sight for a while now, gas prices.
Not one station. Twenty-one of them.
Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms. Different brands, different corners, different neighborhoods. Same story, just moving a few cents up or down depending on where you stop.
Some are still in the mid-$5 range. Others are well into the $6 range. Diesel is pushing even higher.
There’s nothing staged about any of this. Just pulling over, stepping out, and recording what’s there. The signs don’t need interpretation. They’re already doing that on their own.
What struck me wasn’t just the numbers, it’s how normal they’ve started to feel. Prices that would have been shocking not that long ago now just sit there, backlit in red and green, part of the landscape.
Palm trees, clear skies, desert heat, and gas pushing past six dollars a gallon.
This is one day, one pass through my local area. A snapshot. And if things keep moving the way they have been, it’s probably not the top.
You can see the full set of 40 photographs on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
More of my photography, from editorial work like this to my food projects and everything in between, is there as well.
Photographs of the Trump Rally in Coachella
On October 12, 2024, I photographed Donald Trump’s surprise rally at Calhoun Ranch in Coachella Valley. The event was announced only briefly beforehand and drew national attention—not only because it unfolded in deeply Democratic California, but also because it came in the wake of heightened security concerns.
Just before the rally, Riverside County deputies arrested a man at a security checkpoint less than a mile from the venue. He was found with a loaded handgun, a shotgun, ammunition, and false press credentials. Local officials described the arrest as possibly preventing yet another assassination attempt, though federal authorities later stated there was no evidence of an actual plan to attack. The incident underscored the tension surrounding the rally and made headlines worldwide.
That evening, my photographs were syndicated through ZUMA Press. They were published internationally within hours and have continued to be licensed by major news outlets around the world. These images now stand as both journalism and a historical record of a rare political moment in the Coachella Valley.
For the first time, these photographs are also available directly through my website for collectors, researchers, and anyone interested in political history. Options include general prints and personal-use downloads.
Why These Photographs Matter
- Historic Atmosphere: A rally staged in one of the most Democratic parts of the country, under intense scrutiny.
- Global Reach: Published worldwide the same night, with ongoing licensing and syndication through ZUMA Press.
- Collector Access: Available now on my site as general prints and personal-use downloads.
Availability
You can view the full gallery here: https://www.secondfocus.com/gallery/Trump-Rally-Coachella-Oct-12-2024/G00009jJP8dxWtJk/
| Format | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General Print | Standard high-quality print. | As listed |
| Personal Use Download (1500px) | Best for on-screen viewing, research, archiving, or classroom presentations. Licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. | $25 |
| Personal Use Download (2500px) | Larger file for higher-quality viewing, collectors wanting more detail, or small at-home prints. Licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. | $40 |
Editorial and commercial licensing for these photographs continues to be handled by ZUMA Press or by direct inquiry to me at Ian@SecondFocus.com
Closing Note
These frames document more than a speech—they capture a rare rally, an atmosphere of tension, and a global news moment.
👉 View the Full Gallery Here: https://www.secondfocus.com/gallery/Trump-Rally-Coachella-Oct-12-2024/G00009jJP8dxWtJk/
SecondFocus Blog 