A further example mistakes made shooting breaking waves. This one was early on and I actually managed to avoid doing it again. Except in a few instances that broke my heart but reinforced the lesson.
Compose with breaking waves fully within the frame and a little extra room to get all the spray. But do this with smaller waves so when a more impressive one breaks the shot is ruined. Do not check the image and recompose but merrily shoot away so that every shot is wrecked.