This project brought together the body of work I produced during my eight-day expedition to Costa Rica. From that material, I selected, printed, mounted and exhibited twenty-seven images as the culmination of my degree. The exhibition represented not just a final submission, but the outcome of three years of steady technical development and sustained field experience.
Titled “Hidden Costa Rica”, the exhibition focused on insects, amphibians, arachnids and crustaceans, drawing attention to the smaller rainforest species that are often overlooked. Rather than isolate these animals, the images positioned them within the textures of the rainforest, encouraging viewers to slow down and look more closely at species that are typically ignored.
I was given access to a white stone basement space for the exhibition. The simplicity of the room allowed the images to stand out cleanly, while the natural texture of the stone added subtle character without distracting from the work.
The preparation process required the same level of care as the fieldwork. I spent over ten hours printing and mounting the images, ensuring consistency in colour balance, sharpness and finish across the series. Installation took a further five hours, with careful attention given to spacing, sequence and lighting.
The exhibition was assessed by my university lecturers and received a mark of 82 out of 100, securing me a First Class degree! The result confirmed that the body of work demonstrated both technical control and a clear visual direction. It validated not only the Costa Rica expedition, but the preparation that led up to it.
This project remains one of the most important milestones in my photographic journey. It represents the point where sustained effort translated into a tangible outcome. The discipline, persistence and technical focus developed over three years came together in a single space, in twenty-seven frames. Achieving a First Class degree had been my goal from the start, and this exhibition confirmed that the commitment required to reach it had been worthwhile.
