Morro Magic

By Ken Parel-Sewell

NIGHTSCAPES CHIEF TELLER / COCURATOR

We first visited Morro Bay a month ago and it was a very foggy day, which we learned is the norm there. Seeing the rock, my wife, Amethel began plotting how to shoot the Milky Way over it with PhotoPills. When we returned a few weeks later, we got excited when the forecast said it would be clear that night. By the time the moon set after midnight, our youngest son was asleep. Amethel was kind enough to stay with him so I could pursue the Milky Way shot. The forecast apparently does not account for the specific micro-climate at the rock, because it was not clear at all. The fog and clouds were thick and rapidly getting thicker.

I called Amethel to tell her it was a bust, and I was about to head back. She told me to be patient and just wait and see. On the phone and via texting pictures, she started coaching me to find and set up a composition. If we got a break in the clouds, at least I would be ready. This turned out to be brilliant because the clouds did open up for a few minutes! I only got to shoot about eight frames before the clouds blanketed the MW again.

I’ve only shot the MW a couple times now, and it’s tricky but addicting. I definitely want to shoot this again.

Sony A7iii / Rokinon 14mm / f2.8 / 15s / ISO 6400 / Sigma MC-11 Lens Mount Converter

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Ken Parel-Sewell is the Principal and Owner of One World Architecture. Ken is a licensed architect with over 20 years of experience in all phases of architectural practice, with a broad range of expertise in many building types, from residential to institutional facilities. His firm engages work around the U.S., with concentration in California, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. Ken’s photographic focus is in architectural, landscape, and abstract photography.