Photography students capture fascinating marine life in Egypt on annual diving trip
03 February 2026
BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography students recently got the chance to dive into the Red Sea and make Marsa Alam their temporary campus as they captured a range of marine-life including sea turtles, rays, reef sharks and dolphins all in their natural habitat.
Taking place annually over two weeks in January, the trip offers students the chance to diversify their skills, from diving in pristine conditions to learning to read new habitats and species, all amidst an impressive display of aquatic life.
Described as “undoubtedly one of the most amazing experiences of my life” by student Rei Egawa, the trip invited students to spend two weeks at the Red Sea Diving Safari in Marsa Alam, Egypt where they took part in an intensive underwater photography trip in the warm waters of the Red Sea.
The students were supported throughout the trip by members of the course dive team, including underwater photography lecturer Gina Goodman, dive safety officer Helen Perkins, technician and diving instructor Elle Speirs and dive safety officer, technician and wildlife photographer Jane Morgan. The team transported the underwater photography kit from the university dive store and offered students image and live work reviews and feedback throughout the two weeks.
Reflecting on the trip, Gina shared: “At Falmouth we recognise the importance of diversifying our skills and practice, and sometimes that means changing our environment. Here in the UK we are blessed with colourful, changing rocky reefscapes and kelp gardens, but approaches like wide angle photography underwater can prove trickier due to our turbid and more changeable waters.
“The Red Sea is an unparalleled learning environment for underwater photography. The students spend two weeks working intensely with passion and focus. It’s where the magic of skill development really happens.”
She added: “We all eat, sleep and breathe underwater photography together in a beautifully supportive and collaborative environment. Seeing the images the students produce, and the connections they make within their cohorts, is exactly why we love what we do.”
Rei added: “With full access to the photography kit and unlimited diving on the house reef, we were active as early as 5am! I personally had some incredible encounters which included seeing a white-tip reef shark, sea turtles, rays and spinner dolphins all in the house reef.
“From learning more about dive safety to underwater photography, we were fully supported by Falmouth’s incredible dive team from start to finish. They were there for any questions we had and gave us full creative freedom throughout the two weeks. The skills we gained from this trip are absolutely invaluable.”
Fellow student Shannon Higgs shared how the trip was “one of the best experiences of my life to date.” She said: “From meeting new people across the course to having a once in a lifetime experience within the natural world, this trip brought me to tears several times because of the pure wonder I was surrounded by. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”
Aikin Hurd-Thomas, another student who attended the trip, shared how the underwater world they witnessed was “spectacular”, describing the experience as a “blessing” that allowed him to not only strengthen his skills but find new friends. Fellow student Sophie Hodson commended the support available on the trip, sharing how it was “truly amazing” to have access to equipment stores that have “allowed me to come back with a portfolio I am very pleased with.” Bee Yates added how the supportive community, inviting environment and efficient camera store made the experience one that allowed her to “fall back in love with scuba diving”.
For Summer Hobbs, the trip progressed her diving in a way she didn’t think was possible. “I was nervous diver in the UK waters,” she tells us. “But as soon as I dove into the Red Sea, I knew how much fun the next two weeks would be. I’ve produced a whole portfolio of images I am so proud of; it’s inspiring to see how each person works so differently and each has their own unique style. This was really brought to life during the trip.”
The impressive results of this unique learning experience will be on display from 6 to 14 February at the Institute of Photography Gallery on Penryn Campus. The exhibition will be kicking off with a private view on 6 February, allowing visitors to see the amazing work of Falmouth’s BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography students.
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