Stephen Shore is an American photographer known for his images of banal scenes in the United States, and for his pioneering use of colour in photography. He was the only photographer part of the New Topographics who shot in colour. It seemed to increase the sense of detachment in his photographs of intersections and streets. Shore was influenced by Ed Ruscha, the conceptualist of California cool. He trained his lenses on the uniquely banal architecture that was along the roadside landscape.

In this image the matching colours hold the image together: the red in the Pepsi sign resonates with the red in the “99 cent” hamburger sign. This picture shows the random and blunt effect of humans on the landscape, dependent on conveniences such as long distance communication systems and fast food. The abandoned telephone booth in the middle ground of the photo is one of the aspects showing how man has altered the landscape.