Nigel Walters BSC (1941–2025) spent almost three decades as a BBC Film Cameraman before becoming freelance in 1992. He was also a significant figure in the professional representation of cinematographers, serving as a Governor and Vice-President of the British Society of Cinematographers and, from 2008 to 2015, as President of IMAGO, the International Federation of Cinematographers.
During his BBC career, Walters worked extensively as a film cameraman, undertaking assignments throughout the world. His work included international filming for Panorama, with assignments in Vietnam, Israel and Northern Ireland, as well as documentaries for Horizon, Arena and 40 Minutes. He also worked extensively on BBC drama films and series. Over the course of his BBC career he filmed more than 100 programmes.
One of the highlights of this period was Omnibus: The Treble, a film about the young Welsh singer Aled Jones, which won an International Emmy Award in 1985. Walters was also the film cameraman on the BBC's Around the World in 80 Days, presented by Michael Palin. The programme was nominated for a BAFTA Television Craft Award for Film Cameraman, recognising the demands of filming a major international production across numerous locations.
Walters became a freelance cinematographer in 1992. Among his early freelance work was the BBC television drama Alive and Kicking and Streetlife, directed by Karl Francis. He subsequently filmed the first 15 episodes of the television drama Kavanagh QC, establishing himself as a cinematographer working successfully across the increasingly varied demands of British television drama.
His later work included the groundbreaking Channel 4 drama Queer as Folk (1999), which was directed by Charles McDougall and Sarah Harding, and the feature film One of the Hollywood Ten (2000), directed by Karl Francis. One of the Hollywood Ten opened the Seville European Film Festival.
His commitment to the wider cinematography profession was particularly evident through his work with IMAGO. Encouraged by former BSC President Tony Imi BSC, Walters became President of IMAGO in 2008. During his nine-year presidency, the organisation expanded significantly, with 13 cinematographers' societies joining from countries including Australia, Japan and Ireland. Under his leadership, IMAGO developed from a predominantly European federation into an increasingly international organisation. The American Society of Cinematographers subsequently joined IMAGO in 2020.
Walters was also closely involved in issues affecting the professional rights and working conditions of cinematographers. He served on IMAGO's Working Conditions and Authors' Rights Committee and contributed to the development of Screen Craft Rights, working with BECTU, the Guild of British Camera Technicians and the Guild of British Film Editors. His involvement reflected his belief in the importance of collective representation and the protection of cinematographers' professional interests.
His international work extended to the Manaki Brothers Film Festival, where he acted as an adviser and established and ran the Balkan Conference for cinematographers. Through this work he helped create opportunities for cinematographers from different countries to meet, exchange ideas and discuss the profession. He was an honorary member of the Greek, Australian and Irish Societies of Cinematographers and was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, having been proposed for fellowship by Michael Palin. He spoke German and Swedish and maintained strong connections with Finland through his family.
Nigel Walters died in 2025, aged 83.