Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Remembering Robin K

Singing Moon is dark today in memory of Robin Kelsey, 64, creator behind the Oat City Life photoblog. He died yesterday morning in Peterborough.

Robin began his blog in Ottawa as Watawa Life, the title under which which he posted for several years before changing the name to reflect his new home.

He was a serious amateur shooter who made seriously fine images. He was shy, but that shyness did not suppress a quiet sense of humour, nor did it stop him from being a bold, even confrontational, photographer when an image called for it.

A sweet tempered guy with a very, very good eye, Robin considered photography long, hard and carefully, and practiced it in that spirit. His work was unique, always beautifully composed, and he made it look effortless. I looked forward to seeing each fresh image as he shared it. Taken as a body, they're a legacy that's impressive, yet not nearly large enough.

He had time to sit and chat with passing coyotes when our paths crossed, as they sometimes did when he lived in Ottawa. Usually in the course of that kind of conversation, he would manage to slip in a wise thought or two. They were the sort that would bubble back up later, more than once.

Robin's passing leaves, I think, a rip in the fabric of things. My condolences to those he leaves behind.

further: Zoom's more graceful and rounded appreciation of Robin over at Knitnut...

7 comments:

David Scrimshaw said...

Well said.

Nancy Verspoor said...

So very true! Robin will be missed more, and by more people, than he would ever imagine.

XUP said...

A lovely tribute.

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful, Coyote. I miss him already.

Woodsy said...

It is heartbreaking... beautiful tribute Coyote.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this gracious post. It is very deeply sad.
--John Kelsey (Robin's brother)

coyote said...

Robin was well-loved in many ways, by a lot of people, John. I'm sorry for your loss.