PhotoFeedController.php

 <?php
 
 
 /**
     * Fetch the image ids of the most recent images
     */
    public function recent($last_request_time = null) {

        $photos = null;
        $json = [
            'success' => 'Most recent images fetched',
            'last_request_time' => '',
            'results' => []
        ];

        if ($last_request_time != null) {

            $photos = Photo::whereRaw('created_at < FROM_UNIXTIME(:lasttime)', array('lasttime' => $last_request_time))
                ->orderBy('created_at', 'desc')
                ->take(4)
                ->get();
        }
        else {
            $photos = Photo::
                orderBy('created_at', 'desc')
                ->take(4)
                ->get();
        }


        $last = null;

        foreach ($photos as $photo) {

            $user = $photo->user()->first();

            $json['results'][] = [
                'image_id' => $photo->id,
                'owner' => $user->id,
                'owner_name' => $user->name
            ];

            $last = $photo;
        }

        if ($last != null) {
            $json['last_request_time'] = $last->created_at->timestamp;
        }
        else {
            $json['last_request_time'] = $last_request_time;
        }

        return response()->json($json, 200);
    }