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
McDonald’s Apple Pie on National Apple Pie Day
Today is National Apple Pie Day, a fitting time to feature one of the most enduring fast food desserts in America—McDonald’s Apple Pie.
First introduced in 1968, McDonald’s Apple Pie was the chain’s first-ever dessert item. Originally deep-fried, it quickly became a fan favorite for its crackling crust and piping-hot filling. In the early 1990s, most U.S. locations switched to a baked version, part of a broader push toward “healthier” options. Despite the change, the pie’s iconic rectangular shape, sugary glaze, and soft apple filling kept it popular across decades.
This photograph, part of my *From Bag to Background* series, captures the pies just as they came—unwrapped and stacked on a deep black background. Some are broken open, revealing the caramelized apple interior, while others remain whole, showcasing the crisp, golden lattice crust. No styling. No props. Just fast food as it really is.
McDonald’s still sells millions of apple pies each year, a testament to their lasting appeal. And while flavors have rotated in and out—cherry, pumpkin, and even taro in some countries—the classic apple pie remains a constant.
See more photos from the series on my website: http://SecondFocus.com
National McDonald’s Day: Big Macs, McNuggets, Fries, and Apple Pie — From Bag to Background
It is National McDonald’s Day! A moment to acknowledge the fast food giant that reshaped global eating habits.
My photograph features four of McDonald’s most iconic and historically significant menu items, photographed straight from the bag to the black background:
🍔 **Big Mac** – Introduced in 1967 in Pittsburgh, the Big Mac became a national item by 1968. Known for its triple bun and “special sauce,” it’s arguably the most famous fast food burger in the world.
🍗 **Chicken McNuggets** – Launched in 1983 after years of development, McNuggets brought uniform shapes and dipping sauces to the mainstream. Their popularity reshaped how fast food chains approached snacks and sides.
🍟 **French Fries** – A staple since the beginning. McDonald’s fries, once cooked in beef tallow, have long been a benchmark for fast food fries worldwide.
🥧 **Apple Pie** – First sold in 1968 as a deep-fried dessert, the pie was later baked for health-conscious appeal. Its rectangular form and hot filling remain a nostalgic favorite.
No styling, no alterations — just photographed as they came, part of my “From Bag to Background” series. See the full project to date on my website at http://SecondFocus.com
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