Sunset on Serendipity BeachCOFFEE WITH WARREN, with Warren Harbeck |
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Photos: inset of Fred Monk by Warren Harbeck; all others by Fred Monk Serendipity is the joy of being at the right place at the right time to encounter the unplanned and delightfully unexpected. That certainly relates to one of our longtime coffee companion’s ways with a camera. Fred Monk, former pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cochrane, retired now and living in Medicine Hat, is revered as a creative photographer and a lensman of the serendipitous. (See my columns for Feb. 18, 2009 and March 7, 2019.) For example, here’s a photo of his which he titled “Sunset on the Beach.” But before going into how he took that shot, I’ll let Fred tell you about some of his other serendipitous images. “Two years ago, I joined an online group of photographers (52Frames) where every Sunday evening we receive a themed challenge that must be completed within seven days. Seven days later we are able to view the images taken by over 3500 members on the 52Frames website.” Thus, framing the accompanying collage, in addition to my photo of Fred, we see seven of his theme-based images. Clockwise from upper left: “I see you,” “We Three Geese,” “Who?” “Butterfly and Bee” (not photoshopped), “Horse-fly,” “O Canada,” and a flock of street lights. “Last week’s theme was ‘Distorted,’” he says. “I took this shot through the windshield while my vehicle was being pulled through the car wash. When I flipped it 180 degrees, there it was – ‘A Sunset on the Beach.’ Challenge complete!” Yup, Sunset on Serendipity Beach by the serendipity man himself. Happy birthday, Fred!
© 2021 Warren Harbeck |