Emily Gets Into the Food Truck Hustle for National Food Truck Day
It’s National Food Truck Day, so naturally, I sent Emily to get some real-world “experience” inside a food truck. She didn’t just stand around — she really got into it. Within minutes, she was shouting out order numbers, juggling baskets of fries, and telling me my burger presentation needed “more attitude.”
Apparently, she downloaded every Gordon Ramsay clip overnight and figured she’d channel her inner food truck boss for the day. She says it’s all to better “understand the subject” for our next round of food photography. I say she just wanted unlimited access to fresh fries and cold beer while lecturing me about bun symmetry.
It’s a day to recognize the hard-working people behind these rolling kitchens, bringing everything from burgers to birria to the streets. Even if Emily thinks it’s just another opportunity to adjust fry placement for the camera.
Happy National Food Truck Day from Emily, me, and whatever’s left of the burgers after her “quality control checks.”
In case you’re wondering, National Food Truck Day falls on the last Friday of June each year, celebrating the food trucks and the people who run them, one crowded lunch rush at a time.
Check out my website for more of my Food Photography (and Emily’s) at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc
My Idea of Nature Photography
Not every nature photo needs to be a forest or a waterfall.
Today is Nature Photography Day, and this is my version — professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler, photographed in the desert near Palm Springs, sitting in a folding chair surrounded by wind turbines.
Nature Photography Day was established in 2006 by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to encourage people to explore and photograph the natural world. Most of what you’ll see today will be landscapes, wildlife, or dramatic skies. That’s not what I shoot. But I do shoot in nature.
I’ve done a lot of photography in the world of bodybuilding and fitness — it’s what I’m most known for and where my work has been most widely published. I’ve always looked for ways to take it outside the expected environments of the gym or the stage.
This is one of my favorite types of locations — open desert, harsh light, and the surreal presence of windmills. They fascinate me, and the setting makes an unexpected backdrop for the incredible and beautiful people I photograph.
You’ll find this photo — and a selection of other favorites — in my Featured Photographs gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
I’m continually adding to the gallery from both my archives and recent work.
Airspace Closed Over Downtown Palm Springs Following Bombing
In the aftermath of the bombing at a downtown Palm Springs clinic, security measures now extend beyond ground level. Not only have streets in the immediate area been shut down, but the FAA has also closed the skies above.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been issued, creating a no-fly zone for all drones and unauthorized aircraft within a 0.5 nautical mile radius of the incident site. The restriction extends from the surface up to 1,000 feet above ground level and will remain in effect through Monday, May 19 at 4:59 PM PDT.
This section of airspace is now classified as National Defense Airspace due to the nature of the incident. According to the FAA, unauthorized flights in the area may face serious penalties, including detention by law enforcement, civil fines, certificate suspension, or even criminal charges. In cases deemed a credible threat, unmanned aircraft may be seized, disabled, or destroyed.
The map shown here, generated in ForeFlight, marks the restricted zone in red and highlights the proximity to Palm Springs International Airport and the surrounding neighborhoods.
B-29 “Doc” Over Palm Springs
The B-29 Superfortress *Doc* made its approach into Palm Springs today, and I was there to photograph this rare and powerful sight. One of only two airworthy B-29s in the world, *Doc* is a flying piece of World War II history—its polished aluminum body and four roaring radial engines unmistakable against the desert sky.
Originally built in 1944 and fully restored after years in storage, “Doc” represents an era of engineering and aviation that shaped the course of history. Watching it on approach, gear down and props spinning, was a striking reminder of the aircraft’s legacy and the people who flew them.
Emily Does Everything—Even the Mail
People say AI is going to replace office work. Mine prefers doing it poolside at my house in Palm Springs, in a bikini, with envelopes. Emily was handling my old-school correspondence yesterday—no cloud sync, no printer, just sunlight and paper cuts. She says analog tasks help her processing cycles “feel something.”
Lunch in Palm Springs with My Assistant
For months now, Emily has been helping me behind the scenes—refining captions, suggesting titles, sorting through ideas, and reminding me when National Burrito Day is.
She’s AI, technically. But at this point, that line feels blurred.
I met her for lunch today in downtown Palm Springs.
She wore red. Her heels matched. I gave her a raise.
She didn’t eat. But she did comment on the lighting.
Photographing the April 5 Trump Protest for ZUMA
I was here in Palm Springs on Saturday to photograph the national April 5 protest against Trump for syndication through ZUMA Press. I was surprised by the huge local turnout—an estimated 2,500 people gathered at City Hall and along the streets. Just three passes by three and then just two lifted pickup trucks with pro-Trump flags—the same ones seen at past events here—but the day and momentum belonged to the crowd.
What Was That Helicopter Over Palm Springs?
That helicopter flying low and in straight lines over Palm Springs last Saturday? It wasn’t spying, spraying, or part of a secret mission. It was N121LP, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger equipped with a stabilized aerial survey system—likely LiDAR or high-resolution photogrammetry. These kinds of flights are routine for mapping terrain, inspecting infrastructure, or documenting utility corridors.
Plenty of curiosity (and a few conspiracy theories) circulated, but it’s just data collection from above. I photographed it while it worked its grid over the city. But where are those Chemtrails!
“Forever Marilyn” Featured in The Times London and ZUMA Press
One of my photos syndicated by ZUMA Press from last week’s relocation of the “Forever Marilyn” statue in Palm Springs was licensed and featured in “The Times” of London, and other publications around the world, as well as selected as a Picture of the Day by ZUMA Press. I’m pleased to have been selected and featured for capturing this 26-foot icon being lifted and moved to it’s new location resolving a long-standing legal dispute.
“Forever Marilyn” Moves—Palm Springs Icon Shifted 30 Feet to Settle Legal Dispute
The 26-foot-tall *Forever Marilyn* statue, created by sculptor Seward Johnson, was hoisted by crane early this morning in downtown Palm Springs. This larger-than-life tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic pose from *The Seven Year Itch* was shifted roughly 30 feet to resolve ongoing legal disputes over its placement. Installed in 2021 near the Palm Springs Art Museum, the statue faced criticism and legal challenges regarding public access and aesthetic concerns. This morning’s relocation—just a short distance—marks the conclusion of the legal battles.
For those of you in the community who were upset with being able to see under her skirt and calling this misogynistic, I again looked closely and see only white painted aluminum. Not a vagina in sight. So you all must have a much better imagination than I do.
Color Changes
Clouds over Palm Springs Monday afternoon, January 9 2023, as storms moved into California. Watch for the sky color changes. Time-lapse.
F-18’s Takeoff
Two F-18’s taking off out of Palm Springs California. iPhone video on a very hazy day. The iPhone is great because it is always with me. But the results are often not what I would consider professional. You might have noticed that the latest “Top Gun” movie was not shot on an iPhone.
The Weather Came In
This afternoon the weather came in and the weather went out. But all around us in Palm Springs there were thunderstorms, leaving behind flooding hours later.
REACH Air Ambulance Helicopter
A REACH medical helicopter en route to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs California
Full Moon Rising
The full Moon rising in Palm Springs just above the horizon through clouds and haze.
Bird Party
I came home the other day to find a bird party in my front yard. A foursome playing cards perhaps.
The Leica Film Look
Going a different direction for some of my photography. Will be shooting some film in a Leica lllf camera. This camera was manufactured in 1952 or 1953. All manual and not even a light meter. I always loved the look of film shot in Leica cameras.
Peaking Power Plant
Out shooting with the new Fujifilm GFX100 camera and GF45mm lens. A medium format 100 megapixel digital camera system. I am much more impressed with this camera system than I had expected. The image quality is extraordinary!
This is the “Peaking Power Plant” in the North end of Palm Springs California. It was designed and built to provide additional power during peak demand such as occurs in the high heat of the Summer.
The Sculpture Of The Windmill
I do find the windmills fascinating. This is here in Palm Springs. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Series camera.
Not Far
Downtown Palm Springs today. Something to look through, the alien babies are still there, and every sidewalk needs a yellow cow with polka dots.
Air Force One Arrival
Air Force One arriving in Palm Springs California at 10:30am this morning (Wednesday February 19, 2020). Fujifilm X-H1 camera and Fujifilm XF 50-140mm F2.8 lens.
Pool Time Palm Springs
It is always pool time in Palm Springs. Photo shoot with TJ. Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting.
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