John Masters Documentary Photography

Caffenol

John Masters — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:05:55 +0000

Caffenol is a process for developing film that uses coffee (normally freeze dried) I think and vitamin C mixture. I have never developed in caffenol myself but recently a group club at my camera shop where I get my color film developed offered to develop in caffenol as a project. All we had to do was supply our photos and pay for the processing. I was somewhat familiar with caffenol but had not actually studied it closely. After looking at the results of these shots I can assure you I will be looking into doing some developing on my own using coffee in the near future. The tonal ranges and shadows are fantastic. Normally I dislike sepia tone but this coffee developer is awesome and it appears almost sepia but not sepia (if that makes sense). Bottom line is I think coffenol is totally rad and will be doing more on my own soon.
~ John Masters

Houston

John Masters — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:19:28 +0000

A few weeks ago I tagged along on her business trip to Houston Texas. I have never been to Houston so I thought it would be a great photographic opportunity as we were staying right downtown. The good, the bad and the ugly… People of Houston are really nice and kind. The food (especially the seafood) is fantastic and yummy. The music scene is alive and kicking. There are several live music venues to pick from not including local bars and other establishments. You will not be dismayed at the talent and choices on finding live music. So that is music, food and people are awesome. Next is downtown Houston, which I have to say is quite disappointing. I do not think the downtown area has gone through a revival yet. There is very little to pick from after hours and a majority of the businesses from clothing stores, coffee and convenience close by 6 due to lack of customers. Downtown seems to be more of a place people work in and maybe hang out for a short while after work with a smattering of activities on the weekends. Besides that, downtown Houston is pretty dead. The nicer downtown hotels have everything you need on site to survive in style but it will cost you a small fortune. Unfortunately the hotels know you have no choice and it is either find a ride to farther fields or sit in one of their numerous albeit high priced establishments.
Now for the ugly – If you are coming into the Houston airport don’t take a taxi. It is a complete rape session. I can only go by my one visit and my personal experience but I stand by my statements. Downtown is approximately 10-12 miles from the airport. It will cost you no less than 38 U.S. dollars to get there (my experience taking a taxi in queue at the airport). That was on the ride into town. The return trip to the airport was 40 dollars, or that is what he charged me anyway. The point is on the city website its supposed to cost far less. So just rent a car and then you can go wherever you want and be done with it. The cab system in that town is stupid expensive and I would just avoid it all together. I am sure that my cab drivers will have some bad karma coming their way soon so I am cool with it. Maybe I got them a nice dinner somewhere my treat… The photographic opportunities were not as great as I anticipated. The skyline is somewhat interesting but to get to the points of interest, local scenes, and all other photo opportunities, you really need a car or other type of transportation.

Tetris

John Masters — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:08:12 +0000

This is slightly overexposed but I really like the shapes so I am posting it. This is one of the few shot I have of Houston (which I will be writing about soon).

Hasselblad 500C with ILFORD Delta 100

Circle Squares

John Masters — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:00:02 +0000

Interesting shapes are all around us. All you have to do is look and you will find them. A note on my latest acquisition, the Hasselblad 500C. I really like the square format the Hassy produces. I thought square might be a limiting factor, but it is actually nice. That is all I have to say… enjoy ~ John Masters

Things Remembered

John Masters — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:00:27 +0000

I have said it before that photographs can bring you back to that place you were on that day of days. A photograph can transport you like a time machine back to the moment when the shutter was released. You can go places in your mind with the aid of a photo that you would not otherwise enjoy again. I am not sure if it is visual recognition or some other magical workings of the brain and eye coordinated response, but the bottom line is it works. You can remember details and or feelings with a photograph that you might have otherwise forgotten in the daily routine of life. If you let yourself go you may even remember how you felt. If you do not believe me why don’t you give it a try. Grab an old photograph and see what comes back to you. In the end for me it brings back many more senses than just memory and abstract thoughts. But that is just me and I believe in the end we are all different and have experiences that are entirely our own. ~ John Masters