National Big Mac Day and a Hawaiian Question
Today is National Big Mac Day, a celebration of one of the most recognizable hamburgers ever created. Introduced by McDonald’s in 1968, the Big Mac has become far more than just another menu item. With its two all-beef patties, three-piece sesame seed bun, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and signature Big Mac Sauce, it has become an icon of American fast food.
For this photograph, I wanted to show what makes a Big Mac unique. Opening the top bun reveals the middle layer of bread and the familiar ingredients that have made the sandwich instantly recognizable for generations. Against my very black black background, the attention stays exactly where I wanted it, on one of the world’s most famous hamburgers.
While researching today’s post, I stumbled onto something I hadn’t expected. Hawaii has one of the highest rates of SPAM consumption in the world, and McDonald’s restaurants there even serve SPAM on their breakfast menu. That led me to an obvious question. If McDonald’s Hawaii serves SPAM, why has there never been an official SPAM Big Mac?
Tomorrow I’m going to find out what that might look like. I’ll be creating and photographing my own SPAM Big Mac. It won’t be an official McDonald’s product, but rather my own photographic interpretation inspired by Hawaii’s unique food culture. Then, a few days later, we’ll continue the journey with National SPAM Musubi Day.
You can see more of my photography, projects, motion, and my Blog on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Thank You!
A Different Take On My Food Photography
This photograph is part of a growing series of clean, studio-shot food images created for commercial and editorial use. Shown here: a pastrami sandwich on rye, served with dill pickles and a generous helping of potato salad — all isolated on a seamless white background. It’s a different take from some of my other work, but very much in line with how I approach food — direct, detailed, and visually honest.
While I build out a dedicated gallery for these commercial food images, you can explore my long-running From Bag to Background series. That project focuses on fast food, snacks, and prepared foods exactly as they come — photographed without styling or manipulation.
View the gallery here:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc
More to come soon.
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