Can blind people be photographers? You might think you know the answer to that question, but be prepared to change your mind. It’s actually becoming more common for blind people to take photographs. The activity is called non-visual photography and has gathered pace in the UK during the past few years.

Our reporter Niklas Fagerström went to Scotland to meet up with one of very few totally blind photographers – Rosita McKenzie. She lost her sight as a child more than 40 years ago.

Counter-intuitive as it might be, McKenzie is now well known for her photographs. She loves photography and has helped to spread the activity to other visually impaired people, by forming what seems to be the first non-visual photography group in the UK.

The group has showcased its photos in an exhibition this summer, making it possible for the general public to enjoy them. But this has also put a spotlight on the fact that, generally, the accessibility of visual arts for people with reduced sight is not up to the requirements.

The story starts in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, where McKenzie is taking photos, with some help from the sighted photographer David Grinly.

(Photo credit: Rosita McKenzie)

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