I traveled to Costa Rica to explore the rainforests and photograph the amazing array of wildlife. Photographing coastal areas has always been a favorite of mine, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Playa Dominicalito, located a few minutes south of Dominical on Costa Rica’s Costanera Highway.

I arrived a few hours before sunset to explore the beach and set up a few compositions so I would be ready when the dramatic light began painting this beautiful seascape. I focused on the small island and searched for leading line elements. Interesting cloud formations arrived just in time for the show to begin.

I like positioning myself in the water to give the view an interesting perspective. My foot found an indentation in the hidden sand at one point, and I began falling. I grabbed my tripod, camera attached and held it high. I ended up in the water, but my camera was saved. I got up, reset my tripod and captured this image. Fortunately, the temperatures in Costa Rica are mild, so being wet wasn’t much of a problem.

Capturing dramatic photos requires luck and, most important, preparation. Understanding the weather and exploring potential shooting locations ahead of time is critical. Spending time at a location will help you discover its hidden treasures, and you will surely be ready to capture that magic moment.