National Biscuit Day and the Simplicity of FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND
National Biscuit Day.
Some foods don’t really need marketing agencies, AI enhancement, stylists with tweezers, or fake steam drifting through the frame.
Biscuits are one of them.
These are just peel-apart biscuits photographed for my FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND series exactly the way they came out of the package and oven. No brushed butter, no artificial shine, no tricks to make them look taller, fresher, or more dramatic than they actually were.
And honestly, that was always part of the point of this project.
Fast food and convenience food advertising has trained people to expect food to look exaggerated, oversized, and almost synthetic. But when you isolate something simple against a black background and actually pay attention to it, the real texture starts doing the work by itself. The layers, the uneven browning, the soft edges, the imperfect shapes. Those details are usually hidden behind logos, wrappers, commercials, and speed.
Biscuits are also strangely tied into American fast food culture. Fried chicken chains, drive-thru breakfasts, gas station counters, roadside diners. They exist somewhere between comfort food and convenience food, which is probably why they fit this project so well.
So for National Biscuit Day, no AI animation experiments, no dramatic visual effects, just biscuits.
And when I was a kid, when my mom made these, I could have eaten every one of them, each with a pat of butter melting into the middle.
If this photograph brought back a memory, made you hungry, or simply made you look at something familiar a little differently, there are dozens more waiting in FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND. Burgers, tacos, pizza, donuts, fries, sandwiches, and other foods pulled straight from the bag and placed under the same black backdrop.
You can explore the entire series here on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0
National Hamburger Day and the Fast Food Reality Behind FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND
Today is National Hamburger Day.
The hamburger has probably become the defining subject of my “FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND” project. Fast food photographed exactly as it arrives, no stylists, no reconstruction, no fake versions built for advertising.
And one thing people occasionally ask is where all this food comes from.
The answer is simple: the same place everybody else gets it.
The restaurants and chains have no idea I am photographing their food. There are no sponsorships, no special preparation, no discounts because of photography, and no carefully assembled “photo burgers” arriving from a corporate kitchen. I walk in or use the apps, place an order, pick it up, bring it home, and photograph it exactly as it comes out of the wrapper or bag.
Actually, the apps have become part of the process. The fast food companies constantly push coupons, free items, points, discounts, and combination deals. Surprisingly worthwhile ones. Sometimes I end up planning a shoot around whatever special appears that week.
That is part of what interests me visually about the project. These hamburgers are not idealized advertising concepts. They are real fast food hamburgers, bought like anybody else would buy them, photographed seriously against black backgrounds with the same attention I would give any other subject.
Somewhere between documentary, satire, and food photography, the hamburger became one of the central characters.
And if you have ever wondered what fast food starts looking like when it is pulled out of the bag, isolated against black, and treated like a serious photographic subject, step into the project here on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
National Donut Week | FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND
This is National Donut Week.
For my ongoing “FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND” project, the main focus has always been fast food. The foods people grab quickly, eat in the car, bring home late at night, or pick up almost automatically without thinking much about it.
And yes, donuts absolutely qualify.
Donut chains consistently rank among the largest fast food companies in America. Drive-thrus, quick service counters, recognizable packaging, impulse purchases, sugar, caffeine, convenience, the entire fast food formula is there.
So for National Donut Week, I photographed an assorted pile of donuts exactly the same way I approach burgers, tacos, fries, or pizza for this series.
Straight from the box.
No food stylist.
No careful arrangement.
No fake perfection.
Just donuts against a black background.
Then things escalated slightly.
Because now the donuts are slowly rotating in darkness while one pink sprinkled donut has apparently decided to break formation and drift through the frame like some kind of sugar-coated UFO.
Somewhere between fast food photography and science fiction, FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND continues here at…
https://www.secondfocus.com
Softbox Couture
Photographers love the results from large softboxes.
Actually assembling them is another story.
Rods bending, fabric everywhere, people trying not to lose patience, and everyone pretending the process is less irritating than it really is.
So during this studio shoot I could not help but think there is a better use for the softbox.
Instead of becoming part of the lighting setup, it became the wardrobe.
Once we saw it against the black seamless background and studio lighting, it actually worked. Fashion photography mixed with studio satire.
Now subtly animating it adds another layer. The studio atmosphere shifts and the moment feels alive. Reaching back into the past and creating the video I did not at the time.
More photography and visual projects on my website at
https://www.secondfocus.com
National Camera Day, The Look of Film Never Left
Today is National Camera Day.
I pulled out my Leica IIIf again. It’s been photographed before, and it still holds its place. Not because it’s old, but because it represents a way of working that hasn’t changed as much as people think. And I still have a love of the look of film.
Leica’s origins go back to Oskar Barnack, who took 35mm motion picture film and turned it into a still photography format. That decision made cameras smaller, faster, and far more usable in real-world situations. It shifted photography away from being staged and into something more immediate.
What followed wasn’t just a camera system, it was a look. The color palette you see in Leica work, and hinted at in the LFI Magazine cover behind this camera, is controlled rather than exaggerated. Skin tones stay natural. Colors separate instead of competing.
Then there’s Hasselblad, working at a different pace. Medium format, larger negatives, more deliberate compositions. Where Leica moves quickly, Hasselblad slows everything down. The result is depth, tonal range, and structure.
That carries forward directly into my own work. My long-time preference has been Hasselblad digital, particularly the CCD sensor versions. There’s a specific color palette that comes out of those files that still stands apart. It’s not overly processed, not chasing saturation, just clean, controlled color with depth. It feels closer to film than most modern digital systems.
There’s a reason NASA chose Hasselblad for the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Those images required reliability and the ability to hold detail across extreme conditions. The same qualities show up in controlled studio work, just applied differently.
Film ties all of this together. It forces decisions early. Exposure, contrast, color balance, all set before you ever see the result. That constraint shapes the outcome. Grain becomes texture. Highlights roll instead of breaking. Blacks hold information.
This photograph isn’t about nostalgia. The Leica sits there with its mechanical dials and engraved markings, built to do one thing well. The magazine behind it points to the result, what all of that engineering was built to produce.
And even now, with everything available, that way of seeing still carries through.
More of my photography, from fast food to everything in between, at https://www.secondfocus.com
National Pretzel Day, A Pretzel Den of Decadence
Today is National Pretzel Day.
I had heard rumors of something very decadent and decided to follow up. I checked in with Emily, my AI muse. She said she had also heard rumors and that we should quietly follow along with a friend of hers.
A dark alley. A narrow stairway. A guarded iron door. Then another.
A chaise, warm light, a robe left behind, and enough pretzels within reach to remove any real need to get up again. And there she is, Emily’s friend, fully settled into what can only be described as an indulgence of pretzels.
So the rumors are true.
A secret world of pretzel dens, known only to a few. Filled with indulgence, excess, and the kind of behavior that probably doesn’t need to be explained too closely.
The world of AI pixels can lead you into some interesting places.
But then again, maybe people just like pretzels.
More of my food photography, conceptual work, and everything in between at https://www.secondfocus.com
Celebrating the Fresh Tomato!
Today is National Fresh Tomato Day.
I said to my AI muse Emily that we needed something unique to dance around the subject. Something clean. Something elevated. Something that says we are taking tomatoes very seriously.
Emily said, “I have just the friend for that.”
A vertical stack. Vibrant. Healthy. Perfect for the arrival of Spring.
She takes a look at it. Considers it.
And of course, she dances around it.
This is where it shifts, uncensored, as Emily and her friend Ronnie meant it to be.
I try to keep it all intriguing. My food photography, pornochic photo adventures, and more can be found on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Chasing Rabbits for Easter
The other day Emily gave us a first look at our Easter. This is more of the adventure.
Many of you already know Emily, my AI muse and assistant. And she has a circle of friends, somewhat on demand.
I had asked Emily what we might do for Easter.
“Let’s go ask Alice,” she said. “I think she’ll know.”
That was all she gave me.
A moment later, we found her.
Alice didn’t introduce herself. She was already there.
And something was already different.
The scale felt off. The space didn’t settle. Things looked familiar, but they didn’t behave the way you expect them to. It was all recognizable, just shifted enough to make you hesitate.
The colors were soft.
The shapes were simple.
But none of it stayed that way for long.
And then there were the Peeps.
Not placed. Not arranged. They had taken over. Multiplying, surrounding, filling the space until there was no clear edge to it anymore.
Alice stood in the middle of it completely certain.
Emily didn’t explain.
“Go a little further,” she said.
So I did.
The air changed first.
Thicker. Slower.
Time didn’t stop, but it didn’t move the same way either. The atmosphere settled into something heavier, something indulgent, something that didn’t need permission to exist.
Further in, control replaced curiosity.
She was waiting there.
Not asking questions. Not offering answers. Just presence. Absolute, undeniable presence. The kind that doesn’t need to raise its voice to be understood.
And beyond that, structure.
Not chaos, not excess. Precision. Strength. Something built to hold its ground, even here.
By then, there was no question of turning back.
Alice never told us where we were going.
She didn’t have to.
At some point, you realize you’re not following her anymore.
You’re already inside it.
The adventure continued.
And then, just as quietly as it began, she kept walking.
More of my photography and adventures with Emily on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
Ask Alice for Easter
Easter is coming up, so I asked Emily what we should do with it. Many of you already know Emily, my AI muse and assistant. And she has a circle of friends, somewhat on demand.
“Let’s go ask Alice,” she said. “I think she’ll know.”
That was all she gave me.
A moment later, we found her.
Alice didn’t introduce herself. She was already there.
And something was already different.
The scale felt off. The space didn’t settle. Things looked familiar, but they didn’t behave the way you expect them to. It was all recognizable, just shifted enough to make you hesitate.
The colors were soft.
The shapes were simple.
But none of it stayed that way for long.
And then there were the Peeps.
Not placed. Not arranged. They had taken over. Multiplying, surrounding, filling the space until there was no clear edge to it anymore. What started as something small had already become something else.
Alice stood in the middle of it, completely still, completely certain.
Emily didn’t explain.
“Go a little further,” she said.
So I did.
That’s where it changes. Not all at once. Just enough. The familiar starts to stretch. The innocent starts to shift. What you thought you understood doesn’t quite hold its shape anymore.
Alice never guided it.
She just let you follow.
And once you do, you don’t really stop.
This is where we met her.
And we’re already a little further in than we expected.
We’re not done yet.
More at: https://www.secondfocus.com
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 Egg Day – Cracked, Spilled, and Photographed
In follow-up to the video I posted yesterday, here’s one of the photographs I created for National Egg Day.
This image features six white raw eggs dropped onto a black background—unrestrained, unstyled, and exactly as they landed. The broken shells and splattered yolks are captured as-is, embracing the natural chaos that comes from cracking open a few eggs for the sake of art.
National Egg Day is observed each year on June 3rd in the United States. While the exact origins of the day are unclear, eggs have long been celebrated as one of the most versatile and widely consumed ingredients in the world. They’ve been central to countless cuisines and traditions, from humble breakfasts to elaborate dishes. The day is a reminder of the egg’s enduring place in the kitchen—and in culture.
This photograph is part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, where food is presented without interference or idealization—just honest, direct imagery against deep black. Whether it’s fast food or something as simple as a raw egg, I’m interested in what the subject becomes when stripped of context and allowed to just be.
You can see this and many more food images from the series at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc
Red Lips
Studio photo shoot with model Aristodeme. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Thanks!
Model Aristodeme and her red lips.
Beauty And The Bald Spot
Behind the scenes photography by my assistant for the day Harmoni Everett which clearly exhibits the incredible gorgeousness of our model from NYC, Nora Zainglein but also my increasingly declining hair volume. More ‘behind the scenes’ than I expected lol.
The incredible Makeup, Hair Styling and Body Painting (you will see that soon too) for the day by the premier Estee Lauder artist Blanche LeBeau. Studio photo shoot in Downtown Los Angeles, Hasselblad digital camera equipment and Broncolor lighting. Always the best!
More Lighting And Leaping
More behind the scenes at the Broncolor lighting workshop at Edge Studios in Los Angeles on Friday.
Don’t Mess Up
If I am giving first credit to the success of any of my photographs, I owe it to the extraordinary men and women I have had in front of my cameras. There is little question I have had some of the most amazing people as models. And here the most breathtaking elegant ballet dancer Viktoria in this behind the scenes photograph from our photo shoot.
Yes I am lucky to have so much space available to realize most of what I want to do, from studio shooting to my outdoor pool and gardens. Close by I have even larger studio space available, the great outdoors, the Salton Sea and even vintage aircraft.
Next is what I and many others consider the finest equipment available. Hasselblad digital camera equipment and Broncolor lighting.
What is left for me is to stage the photographs I have in the back of my mind, and more important than anything else, each and every time, don’t mess up. Thanks!
Voting
Would you vote for this photograph of Kajira full-length or closer up? The dilemmas I face when editing from a photo shoot. My vote… Must have both!
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting with the Broncolor Para 133 reflector. Thanks!
Noel Pre Paris And Greece
She just returned from photo shoots in Greece and Paris. My buddy Noel VanBrocklin in her photo shoot with me before she left. Now that she is back I will have to see if she has changed any. Become more European perhaps? What would that be I wonder?
Photo shoot notes… Wonderful Makeup and Hair Styling by the world traveling, Estee Lauder featured Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Surrounding myself with the best people and the best gear!
No Explaining It
There are not many photos of me but this seems to be one of everyone’s favorites. I am not sure why. Behind the scenes in studio for a print advertising, editorial and video photo shoot for Bodybuilding.com with Maria Rogers. One of my all time best ever!
Look Into The Light
Never doubt for one moment the “Professional” part of “Professional Model”. One of the first things she said to me: “I love the fabulous lighting”. A Professional Model who has been photographed around the world, appeared on the most well known magazine covers and magazine features and is much in demand. The other comment she made to me during our photo shoot; “Is that a Hasselblad DIGITAL camera? Wow!” And yes the lighting is Broncolor with their Para 133 Reflector. And yes the camera is Hasselblad digital. Only the best!
Photographed on Hasselblad Digital. Lighting by Broncolor with a Broncolor Para 133 Reflector. Only the best.
Her Inner Warrior
Excitement, beauty and power. Description that fits my photo shoot with Stacey Naito. Always more on my Website at SecondFocus.com.
Stacey Naito featured on my website. Makeup and Hairstyling by Blanche LeBeau.
Tilt Up Studio
I have been getting a lot of photogrpahers asking for a closer look at my tilt up studio background system. Actually I think they wanted a closer look at Randalene Sergent. Perfectly reasonable! To the left is Natalie Lyle who does so much of the superb makeup and hair styling you see on my photo shoots. Although I have huge space inside to do photo shoots, this system allows me to create all kinds of spaces, paint schemes and more designs. I can also shift to do doing scenes by the pool or tress without moving all of the lighting equipment or very much additional work. Thanks!
Freeze Frame!
“Her lipstick reflex got me wound
There were no defects to be found
Snapshot image froze without a sound”
– “Freeze Frame” – J. Geils Band
Maria Bertrand from our photo shoot the other day! Fantastic Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle!
Holiday Photo Shoot Behind The Scenes
Some behind the scenes views of a Holiday photo shot with Maria Bertrand. There is a very special series we did for Thanksgiving but you will have to wait a couple of days to see even a teaser of that one. It is just way too fun!
I have to say Thank You to my good friend and also a great photographer Jaime Klein for allowing us to invade his studio. He was also kind enough to shoot a few behind the scenes pics with my little point and shoot camera. Jaime is in Van Nuys, so especially if you need those head shots, go check him out! And he is moving to a bigger studio just nearby.
A big Thank You to Natalie Lyle for yet again, another day of Makeup and Hair Styling. Thank You to Chris my assistant for the day. Good job for the first time with me.
The big Thank You to my Super Model herself, Maria Yvonne Bertrand. Always beautiful, always knows how to look in front of a camera. And she has a certain sense of humor that makes it all work! You will see that soon!
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