Charting the Uncharted: Olly Geary’s "Limpid Blue" Navigates Heritage and Identity Through Costa Rican Streets

Scottish photographer and director Olly Geary’s poignant project, "Limpid Blue," offers a profound exploration of heritage, identity, and the very nature of navigation. Through a month-long sojourn in San José, Costa Rica, Geary delves into a city where street names are often absent, and addresses are passed down through generations as oral histories. This unique approach to urban exploration transforms the act of finding one’s way into a deeply personal and cultural translation, a system of understanding that persists despite the ever-shifting urban landscape and the march of technological advancement.

Geary’s journey into his mother’s homeland was not merely a sightseeing tour; it was an intentional act of reconnection. "Limpid Blue" is more than just a collection of striking photographs; it is a photographic map, meticulously crafted by the rhythms of the city and interwoven with the intimate directions shared by his family during his stay. The resulting book, a testament to his dedication, serves as a dual charting of San José’s topography and Geary’s own familial lineage.

This compelling project earned Olly Geary recognition as a winner of the 2025 Art & Photo Book Award. Supported by Bookmobile, the award facilitated the transformation of "Limpid Blue" from a personal exploration into a tangible, published volume, making Geary’s vision accessible to a wider audience.

The Genesis of a Photographic Map: A Journey of Discovery

The impetus for "Limpid Blue" stemmed from a deep-seated desire to connect with his maternal heritage. Having grown up in a small Scottish town, Geary’s understanding of Costa Rica was largely shaped by familial anecdotes. This project became his personal pilgrimage, an opportunity to step beyond the stories and immerse himself in the reality of his mother’s homeland.

"Before this trip, I had never visited Costa Rica," Geary shares. "I didn’t have a clear understanding of the country, only what I had heard through family stories." This initial unfamiliarity, however, quickly gave way to a profound sense of belonging. His mother facilitated connections with her friends and family in San José, and during his stay, Geary resided with his uncle, a man he had never met in person. This unexpected kinship provided a foundational anchor for his exploration. "Although we hadn’t met in person before, I felt at home, and he became an important part of the project from giving advice on what to check out and even giving me tours of the city during my first days there."

The collaborative spirit extended beyond his uncle. The project became a shared endeavor within his extended family. His great-uncle contributed the intricate, anecdote-driven directions that now form a crucial element of the book, while his aunt provided invaluable assistance with translation. "It was interesting to see how each of them interpreted the project, and small contributions like this helped connect threads in my family that I wasn’t aware of before." This familial collaboration not only enriched the project but also deepened Geary’s understanding of his own roots.

Navigating the Unmarked: Photography as Cartography

The defining characteristic of San José’s urban fabric, as explored in "Limpid Blue," is its absence of formal street nomenclature. This presented Geary with a unique challenge and an equally unique opportunity. "Working within this framework, Olly began each day from a familiar landmark, allowing curiosity to guide his route." This method of exploration, driven by an innate sense of inquiry, allowed him to move beyond the rigid confines of conventional mapping.

Geary’s photographic practice naturally aligned with this unconventional approach to navigation. "Walking has always been part of my practice, and using the image as a form of mapping has played a role subconsciously," he explains. "Some of my favourite work has transpired when I’ve got lost or taken a different route out of curiosity." This inclination towards serendipitous discovery proved particularly fruitful in San José. "While working on ‘Limpid Blue,’ I enjoyed how navigation in Costa Rica tied into my own practice. I would spend the day walking around, sometimes in circles or taking wrong turns, which led to discovering some areas that normally, as a visitor, I wouldn’t have been aware of."

The photographs themselves become an integral part of this navigational system. They are not merely documentary records but rather visual signposts, imbued with the personal histories and directions shared by his family. "The photographs in this series appear interwoven with directions shared by family during his stay. Together, these elements chart both the topography of the city and Olly’s own familial history." This fusion of visual narrative and anecdotal guidance creates a layered experience for the viewer, inviting them to engage with the city on a more intimate and personal level.

Geary’s artistic process is a testament to the power of instinct tempered by intention. "Generally, I have an instinctual approach to image-making. I try to carry a camera at all times and shoot as much as possible; later, I notice patterns connecting the images, and often a project emerges from that," he states. However, "Limpid Blue" represents a deliberate evolution in his methodology. "Over the past year, I have actively been trying to be more intentional in my way of working by developing projects that focus on a location or an idea. ‘Limpid Blue’ is the first project to come from a more deliberate approach." This intentionality allowed him to delve deeper into the specific nuances of San José and its unique navigational system.

The Photographic Journey and Its Transformative Impact

The process of creating "Limpid Blue" was not just about documenting a place; it was a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and connection. Geary’s initial curiosity about his mother’s homeland evolved into a profound appreciation for the intricate ways in which identity is formed and maintained.

His choice of starting each day from a familiar landmark was a deliberate strategy to foster a sense of rootedness within an unfamiliar environment. This approach allowed him to gradually build a photographic understanding of San José, one that was shaped by the city’s inherent rhythms and the personal narratives woven into its fabric. The resulting images, therefore, are not just snapshots of streets and buildings but rather reflections of the human experience within that space.

The integration of familial directions into the photographic narrative adds a significant layer of depth. These directions, often rooted in generations of local knowledge, act as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting Geary to a lineage of understanding and belonging. This process of translation—from spoken word to visual representation—mirrors the broader act of cultural assimilation and the formation of personal identity.

A Tactile Experience: The Book as an Extension of the Project

The publication of "Limpid Blue" as a book represents the culmination of Geary’s extensive work and a crucial step in sharing his vision with the world. The design and sequencing of the book were carefully considered to mirror the experience of navigating San José.

"When working on the sequence, I wanted the viewer to get a sense of being in an unfamiliar place and having to build their own way of looking at the world," Geary explains. This intention is reflected in the abstract nature of some of the images, which require the viewer to spend time with them, to engage in a process of visual interpretation and discovery.

The tactile quality of the book was also a significant consideration. Geary aimed to create an experience that echoed the physicality of unfolding a map or examining a photograph up close. "I wanted to create a tactile experience, adjusting the pages to get a better look at the image, the same as you would when unfolding a map." This emphasis on materiality underscores the project’s engagement with physical space and personal interaction.

The overall tone of the book is intended to be one of both wonder and playfulness. San José, with its inherent complexities and vibrant energy, inspired Geary to imbue his work with a sense of lightness. "San José is an overwhelming yet exciting city, and it was important to have an element of lightness to the final selection to reflect that." This balance of challenge and delight is a hallmark of "Limpid Blue," making it an engaging and memorable artistic statement.

Life Lessons and Future Aspirations

Beyond the specific context of "Limpid Blue," Geary’s reflections offer insights into his broader artistic philosophy and life experiences. He identifies three pivotal life moments that have shaped his trajectory: his early immersion in film school, which ignited his passion for photography; his extensive travels and experiences living abroad, which broadened his perspective; and the gradual, yet significant, milestone of making a living from his creative work.

Inspiration, for Geary, often comes from unexpected sources. He finds resonance in the writings of Nan Shepherd, whose observations of the Scottish landscape have rekindled a desire to explore his homeland. The stark contrast between the urban environment of his current residence in the Netherlands and the wild outdoor spaces he cherishes also fuels his creative drive, serving as a necessary reset from his often city-centric work.

His approach to creation is largely instinctual, driven by a constant engagement with his camera. However, the deliberate nature of "Limpid Blue" signifies a growing intentionality in his practice, a desire to develop projects with a focused theme or location. This evolving approach promises further depth and conceptual rigor in his future endeavors.

Geary’s advice to aspiring creatives is rooted in the principle of self-reliance: "You have to make your own luck." This philosophy emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement, taking risks, and consistently putting one’s work before an audience.

Looking ahead, Geary harbors ambitious plans. He aims to embark on a long-term project in Scotland, driven by a renewed perspective gained from his time abroad. The ultimate goal is to translate this new body of work into a book, a medium he considers the most effective for presenting photographic narratives. His lifetime aspiration is simple yet profound: to continue making a living from his photography, a testament to his enduring passion and dedication to the art form.

Olly Geary’s "Limpid Blue" is a powerful example of how art can serve as a vehicle for cultural exploration, personal connection, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Through his unique vision and meticulous execution, Geary invites us to reconsider the very act of navigation, revealing it not just as a physical process, but as a profound journey of self-discovery intertwined with the rich tapestry of our heritage.

Purchase a copy of "Limpid Blue" here: [Link to purchase]

Apply for the 2026 Booooooom Art & Photo Book Awards here: [Link to application]