'Cue It Up

A day in the life...Lewis Barbecue, Charleston, South Carolina

The neon lights beckon... Sony A7rII, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L

Lighting the fires, 4 a.m. LeicaM240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Prepping the beef ribs Leica M240, 35mm ff1.4 Summilux

There's the rub... Sony A7rII, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L

Loading the pit. Sony A7rII, Leica 21mm f2.8 Elmarit

John Lewis in front of one of his hand-made pits. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Lewis leads a menu-tasting session in the smokehouse. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

The smokehouse holds four enormous, hand-made pits. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

John Lewis uses meat cleavers as damper handles on his hand-made pits; this one belonged to his grandfather. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Wood delivery. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Brisket trimming. Sony A7rII, Leica 21mm f2.8 Elmarit

Chicken wings coming off the pit. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

A few words of advice on the way in. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Sides, anyone? Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Main dining room Sony A7rII, Leica 21mm f2.8 Elmarit

Putting it all together. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

The main attraction. Sony A7rII, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L

Get 'em started early, I say. Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux

Leica M240, 35mm f1.4 Summilux