National Donut Day and America’s 10 Billion Donuts
Today, November 5th, is National Donut Day, one of two days each year when donuts get their moment in the spotlight. The first Friday in June is the original National Donut Day, created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the “Donut Lassies” who served treats to soldiers during World War I. November 5th later joined as a second observance, giving donut lovers another excuse to indulge.
I’ve photographed donuts before from the big fast-food chains, but this time I turned to grocery store classics. These are Entenmann’s, a brand that began in 1898 when William Entenmann delivered baked goods door-to-door in Brooklyn. More than a century later, their boxed donuts have become a household staple, a familiar sight on grocery shelves across America.
Emily (my AI muse and assistant) adds: “Turns out, Americans consume around 10 billion donuts every year, roughly 31 donuts per person. While Entenmann’s doesn’t release exact production figures, reports suggest they’ve produced over 780 million donuts since their early days. That’s a lot of mornings, late-night snacks, and coffee breaks made a little sweeter.”
See more from my Commercial Food Photography at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000WFAqDJQOgKU
The Most Popular Vegan Food Isn’t Lettuce
According to Google searches, the most popular vegan food in the world right now is cake — rich, frosted, indulgent. Proof that even in vegan form, people still crave pleasure.
But when most people hear vegan, they don’t picture dessert. They picture lettuce — green, crisp, unmistakably vegan. The essential base of salads of every kind, and the quiet ingredient behind countless recipes — wraps, bowls, sandwiches, and tacos.
So that’s what I photographed. Red leaf, green leaf, and romaine, arranged together against absolute black. No plate, no dressing. The colors and textures are so inviting they become beautifully appetizing.
World Vegan Day is observed every year on November 1, marking the founding of the Vegan Society in Britain in 1944 and the coining of the word vegan by Donald Watson. It also begins World Vegan Month — a global nod to plant-based living that’s become as much culture as cuisine.
For more, visit my Commercial Food Photography gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000WFAqDJQOgKU
International Nachos Day
It’s International Nachos Day—proof that even the most accidental snack can earn a global holiday. The humble pile of chips, cheese, and jalapeños that began as a quick improvisation now has its own calendar slot, official hashtags, and corporate menu boards. Somewhere, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya might be amused.
Anaya first created nachos in 1943 in Piedras Negras, Mexico, when a group of diners arrived after hours. He fried tortilla chips, added melted cheese and sliced jalapeños, and served what became a timeless Tex-Mex invention. After his death in 1975, October 21st was declared the day to honor both the man and the moment—celebrated each year with cheese, crunch, and excess.
Fast-forward a few decades, and fast food turned the once-local recipe into a mass-market standard. Taco Bell brought nachos into the drive-thru era, eventually landing on the Nachos BellGrande—an instantly recognizable mix of seasoned beef, cheese sauce, sour cream, tomatoes, beans, and all the optional extras that marketing could justify.
My photograph of two Nachos BellGrande orders combined on a black background captures exactly that—fast food in its purest, most unapologetic form. No plating, no garnish, just the commercial version of a 1943 invention, elevated by light and isolation.
See more of my ongoing series Food From Bag to Background at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0
National Pasta Day — Penne Rigate
Somewhere between the art of simplicity and the science of starch, we find pasta. Today, National Pasta Day gives everyone a reason to twirl, scoop, or simply stare.
This is De Cecco Penne Rigate — cooked plain, no sauce, no garnish, just the shape itself. Its ridged tubes catch light like sculpture, emphasizing design over indulgence. Spaghetti may dominate every chart of popularity, but penne holds its ground as the world’s second favorite — a form engineered to hold flavor and look good doing it.
Pasta’s lineage stretches back more than 700 years, from the first written mentions in Sicily to its industrial rise in the 19th century. Whether on a plate, in a bowl, or on black aluminum, its appeal is constant: geometry, texture, and the quiet perfection of repetition.
You can see more of my work in Commercial Food Photography at https://www.secondfocus.com/gallery/Commercial-Food-Photography/G0000Tnt.HM3Xwng
National Dessert Day: Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
It’s been National Dessert Day today, and I happened to have a container of these chocolate-dipped cookies—sold under the name Dunk’ems. Not exactly the homemade kind, but something you’d find in the supermarket aisle on impulse.
They’re half chocolate chip cookie, half candy. The kind of dessert that doesn’t ask for ceremony, just a little attention under good light. My photograph isolates them against a pure black background, the turquoise bowl adding a note of color contrast. The result turns a familiar packaged dessert into something formal and deliberate—an image more about surface and texture than sweetness.
You can see more of my food photography in my Commercial Food Photography gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000WFAqDJQOgKU
Archives or Angie? National Little Black Dress Day
Today is National Little Black Dress Day.
I thought I’d do the usual—dig through my archives for a model I once photographed in a little black dress. But Emily, my AI assistant, wasn’t having it.
She announced, “Forget the archives, I run an AI modeling agency now. I’ll have one of my girls stop by.”
And just like that, Angie—Emily’s friend—appeared. Dressed, styled, and ready for the occasion. Apparently, while I was busy organizing files, Emily was busy building a talent roster.
Of course, the Little Black Dress has been a cultural staple ever since Coco Chanel made it iconic in the 1920s—simple, elegant, and versatile. Emily insists it’s also perfect for AI casting calls, because no matter the decade or dimension, the LBD always fits.
As for my own archives—you won’t find many little black dresses there, but you will find plenty of others…and quite a few with nothing at all. Take a look in my Featured Photographs gallery: https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
My Blog Featured in New Bodybuilding.com Documentary
In 2020, I wrote a blog post titled “The Collapse of Bodybuilding.com” reflecting on the decline of what was once the most influential platform in the fitness and supplement industry. I had worked closely with Bodybuilding.com for years—handling photography, marketing, and social media—so I saw much of it from the inside. What I wrote back then was a firsthand look at how it all started to fall apart.
That post is now featured in a new 15-minute YouTube documentary titled “The Rise and Fall of Bodybuilding.com” by Josh Brett, whose channel has 498,000 subscribers. It’s shown and referenced in the film as part of the larger story being told.
📺 Watch the full documentary here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqRDJmPwpmc
📖 Read the original post here:
https://secondfocus.blog/2020/03/10/the-collapse-of-bodybuilding-com/
It’s always interesting to see your perspective picked up years later—especially when what you said at the time turns out to be right on target. There are lessons here for other companies that move away from what made them successful in the first place. I know of one right now that’s on its way.
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.
More Popcorn!
Here’s a big pile of popcorn for you to enjoy throughout the day!
No need to pace yourself—just grab a handful (or ten) and dive in. I photographed this to mark National Popcorn Lovers Day a few days ago, but popcorn never goes out of style. Just try not to drop too much between the couch cushions.
Want to see more of my food photography and other intriguing projects? Check out my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!
Popcorn: A Cinematic Take for National Popcorn Lovers Day
Popcorn: The Movie. Or maybe the documentary.
Either way, I shot this for today—National Popcorn Lovers Day.
Popcorn in motion, a tumble of light, airy kernels against an all-black background. No frills, no distractions—just the texture, the movement, and the simple pleasure of this timeless snack. Shot in crisp detail, this video captures the weightlessness of popcorn as it falls, a moment suspended before the next handful disappears.
This is part of my ongoing food photography project, where fast food, snack foods, and more are captured straight from the bag, isolated against a black backdrop. You can see more of my work—food, bold portraits, aviation, and other intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Join Me At The Reception
Title: Fine Art Photography?
📍 Exhibition: Artists Council Exhibit
🏛️ Venue: Artists Center at the Galen, Palm Desert
📅 Opening Reception: December 12, 4–7 PM
My photograph, Fine Art Photography?, will be featured in the upcoming Artists Council exhibit. This piece is a playful yet pointed critique of the overused and often pretentious categorization of the term “fine art photography.”
The photograph is life-size, featuring a stunning 6-foot-tall woman who is nude. Standing before the piece offers an intriguing perspective on what it might be like in her company. Nudity is almost never seen in these exhibits, making this work a rare and bold addition to the show.
The composition references Portrait of Theresia, Countess Kinsky by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, 1793, part of the Norton Simon Museum collection in Pasadena, California.
I hope you’ll join me at the opening reception to view this unique work. The exhibit runs through January 12, 2025.
Rotating Orange Chicken
The other day I posted a photograph of Panda Express Orange Chicken for National Chinese Food Takeout Day. I also had shot video of the Orange Chicken and I think it is fun. It adds almost a 3-D look to it as it rotates around. There is a video page on my website with more food, flying and fun videos with models I have photographed. Take a look and Thanks! https://www.secondfocus.com/video
Double Whoppers Three
Hot Times Cool Art
One of my latest Food Photography pieces is on display in the “Hot Times Cool Art” show. 40″x30″ infused on aluminum for a luminescent look. What is it? Well, think a summertime treat. Go take a look! You can see more of my work on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks! At the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert California.
Record Setting!
Since starting up the video section on my website on July 10th, I am amazed with it’s success. This is through 5:00pm today July 26th. Today set a new record of 2,756 views. My videos are indeed risqué going back to behind the scenes from my photoshoots. And I am starting to add in some of my aviation videos. If you want to take a look, go to my website at SecondFocus.com click on the Menu Bar at the top and go to Videos. I think they are great fun! Thanks!
National BLT Day!
National Hot Dog Day!
Hot dogs have come a long way since they were first sold in 1870 at Coney Island. Now, they’re a summer and baseball staple, with 150 million hot dogs eaten every July 4th!
Check out my photo of the original Mustard Dog and Kraut Dog from Wienerschnitzel. Back in the late 1960s, they were just 18 and 21 cents each!
For more delicious food photos, visit: SecondFocus.com
Thanks for following!
Solar and Lunar Photography
I often get asked what I use for my Solar and Lunar photography. This is it… Fujifilm X-T3 camera body, 2x extender, 100-400mm lens. I use a Fujifilm cable release although sometimes I use the Fujifilm app on my iPhone. The Solar filter is from Thousand Oaks Optical. It is on a tall Induro tripod. But what really made things easier is this Benro geared head. The pool is optional. Thanks!
Fun+Games
Join us for the opening arts reception of “Fun+Games” this Thursday, June 13th, from 4-6 pm at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert, California. You will see my photograph featuring 300 of the most common item of fun and games from throughout history and around the world. Each item glows red, in a sea of black, achieved by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum. The result is a magical luminescence, presented in a huge 30×40 inch format. There will be much “Fun+Games” to see. Thanks!
Chatting With Sherri…
“On Saturday; Chatting With Sherri welcomes back multi-talented photographer; Ian L Sitren on 06/08/24 at 7pm pt; http://tobtr.com/12338505 #interview He creates amazing pictures of fast food, athletes, models, actors and aircraft! Join us!”
I always greatly enjoy Chatting With Sherri. This is my third time on her award winning “Talk Radio” show. It is great fun to share what I am doing now with my decades of photography. Thanks!
SecondFocus Blog 