Dancing in the Rain: Flash Photography in the Redwoods
There’s something magical about the rain in the Redwoods of Muir Woods Forest. The mist settles in, the greens deepen, and the entire forest feels alive. This was what happened on a rainy day when we ventured into the Muir Woods National Forest. To watch the video from this shoot please check it out below:
This shoot was an epic journey with the incredible @krystal_kadaver, who braved the cold water, steady rain, and slick logs to create something truly powerful. Shooting in those conditions isn’t easy—but that’s where the magic lives.
Listen to the Behind the Scenes Podcast of this shoot by clicking BELOW:
To bring this vision to life, I used the Godox AD300 Pro as my off-camera flash. It was the perfect balance of power and portability—strong enough to cut through the ambient forest light, yet compact enough to move quickly through the terrain. The flash allowed me to sculpt light against the moody background, adding dimension and separation while preserving the rich tones of the environment.
Shot at 85mm using the Sony G Master f/1.4 and the Godox AD300 Pro
For this session, I dusted off the throwback Sony A7II and rotated through four lenses:
• 20mm for immersive environmental storytelling
• 35mm for natural perspective
• 50mm for classic balance
• 85mm for intimate compression and subject isolation
Each focal length told a different part of the story. Each shift in perspective created a new mood.
Rain shoots require preparation, flexibility, and trust—trust in your gear, your lighting, and most importantly, your team. When all of that aligns, you don’t just take photos… you create moments.
I’ll be speaking for Godox to share some of my tips and tricks for creation with lighting at the AVC Expo in Miami on March 13th and 14th. To join me there please visit: www.jasonlanier.com/events
Let’s keep chasing the glow—even in the rain.
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