Photography by Ian L. Sitren

Posts tagged “roadside

She Said Don’t Forget the Whiskey

I mentioned my “days of food” series to her, the one where I keep chasing whatever shows up on the calendar next.

She asked what was coming up.

I had just seen International Whiskey Day.

Perfect, she said. Then she laughed, “Don’t forget your camera… and some whiskey.”

That was all it took.

We headed out into the desert, far enough that the road stopped feeling like it belonged to anyone. The abandoned gas station was exactly what you would expect out here, sunburned concrete, rusted structure, nothing staged, nothing fixed.

She stepped into the scene like it had been waiting for her.

Boots in the dust, cowboy hat in her hand, the bottle of bourbon set down beside her like it had always been part of the ground. No effort to dress it up, no effort to explain it.

That is usually where these ideas land.

Something simple on the surface, a calendar day, a bottle, a location. Then it shifts into something else once the camera is there.

That’s where my food photography and everything around it tends to go. Not just the subject, but what happens when you take it somewhere it does not belong.

International Whiskey Day turned into this.

If you want to see where these ideas go next, including the food work, the desert shoots, and the rest of my pornochic photography, take a look on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com


Burger Box

Proud to share the latest in my Fast Food photography series. Burger Box, established in 1954, is the oldest restaurant in the Coachella Valley. A true roadside gem with outdoor window service that even featured a gas station back in the day. Pictured here are their iconic double cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers with pastrami, and freshly made fries, all grilled to order and served in simple brown bags. The taste and aroma bring back the nostalgia of an era that’s fast disappearing. Sadly, this beloved spot will be closing its doors at the end of the month. For more of my food photography, visit http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks!