Giles Barker lost his life while caving in Spain in 1992. An accomplished cave photographer, Giles was a member of the Red Rose CPC and Morgannwg CC.
These clubs have annually, since 1993, funded the Giles Barker Award in his memory.
This prestigious award – a hand-crafted statue of a cave photographer made by Ceris Jones – is given to a person connected with any aspect of cave photography in recognition of his or her excellence and contributions to the field.
For 2024 the winner is Richard ‘Roo’ Walters for his outstanding work in 3D laser scanning, with
which he has generated superb visual representations of caves from around the world as well as in
the UK.
The results of his fastidious and time-consuming computer processing have included virtual fly-throughs and even models constructed from the data, along with stunningly realistic 2D ‘photographs’ – these lack colour, but this can be added artificially by the program or by using accurate tones from traditional photos. They are so detailed that it can be impossible to tell the difference between the image and a real photograph of the same scene. Having amassed a huge body of quality work, Roo is truly at the top of his field and thoroughly deserves this recognition.
Congratulations, Roo, on receiving this 29th award in the series, which as usual is a fine trophy specially created by Ceris Jones.
(Photos of Roo and the award are by Bartek Biela)
below: Roo scanning in Tham Luang Cave, Thailand – photo Mark Burkey
2023
Bill Nix
* 2020-2022 no awards made during Covid years
2019
Geoff Wade
2018
Paul Taylor
2017
Mark Burley
2016
Andy & Antonia Freem
2015
Paul Dold
2014
Martyn Farr
2013
Pete Glanvill
2012
Dave Webb
2011
Brendan Marris
2010
Rob Eavis
2009
Clive Westlake
2008
Paul Fretwell
