An exhibition of photographs of Edinburgh by blind photographers is being launched today.
The 'Revealed' exhibition is the culmination of an innovative project by Rosita McKenzie, who has been blind since the age of eleven. "Our exhibition will challenge preconceptions of visual disability and digital photography," she says.
The show celebrates the work of Christine Barwick, Sarah Caltieri, Andreas Gartner, Anne Henderson, Robin Marshall, Fiona Powell and Rita Simpson. All seven members of the Revealed Photographic Group are registered blind, and come from as far afield as Germany and Australia.
Rosita says: "I became a professional photographer in 2006 when I was invited to create my first exhibition for the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. I have now created approximately eight exhibitions based on diverse subjects since then, with some work currently showing in the USA."
A visually disabled photographer has to invent his or her own rules for taking photographs, Rosita explains. "This will depend on how much sight an individual has, what generally interests them, and even what type of camera they are using.
"For instance, one of our members can only see things very close up and so this influences the way she uses the camera. Also, I encourage members to use the camera in innovative ways that suit their sight condition, and their level of knowledge of the subject and of the camera.
"Their level of sight loss will influence this process to some extent. Some members of the group prefer to capture the world as they physically see it. In this case, I think their work is truly revealing because it has the ability to teach audiences a great deal about sight loss."
The photographs in the exhibition were taken during three photo-shoots by the group in Princes Street Gardens, Dean village and the National Museum of Scotland. Each photographer then chose two images from their own work that they wished exhibited and which expressed something special for them.
The photographs are being accompanied by tactile interpretations.
"We worked closely with each photographer to discover what they wanted their photographs to say," continues Rosita. "We then set about creating the essence of each photo in such a way that it can be more easily understood by visually disabled audiences and everyone else who experiences the show.
"Many visually disabled people have problems discerning a complicated picture by touch alone. So the exhibition has also been interpreted into a sound piece and audio description, braille and large-print text. We want as many people as possible to enjoy the work and be able to comment on it - whether they like the work or not. What is important is that they are given the opportunity to participate and express their own opinion."
The exhibition has been funded by the Scottish Arts Council with additional support from RNIB Scotland.
* 'Revealed' will run from Tuesday, 22nd September until Tuesday, 20th October 2009 at RNIB Scotland, 12/14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh.
[Press Release issued on 22 September 2009].