In order to get winning shots, you’ll need to maintain composure and stay focused on creating powerful images. It’s easy to see a subject and just start shooting without a plan, but the way to create an image that has winning potential is to use forethought to take advantage of situations that arise.

That’s the approach I took when I came across this saltwater crocodile in the Solomon Islands. I saw the image that I wanted — a tooth-bearing grin, aggressively staring down the camera.

I mentally composed the image first, dialed in my settings, and executed the shot before the opportunity passed. The end result was this one competition- winning image, rather than dozens of unimaginative ones.

My Equipment

Camera: Canon 7D in Nauticam housing

Lens: Tokina 10-17mm fisheye at 10mm

Strobes: 2x Ikelite DS160

Settings: f/16, 1/160, ISO 250