Named after a Chicago Water Works engineer and city of Chicago employee of four decades, this little tug boat, the James J Versluis has served Chicago for the past 60 years. In the winter it breaks the ice so that the river is always accessible to emergency services, and in the summer it helps maintain the four water intake cribs in Lake Michigan that supply the city with fresh water.
Fascinating! No wonder the river is rarely totally frozen. I like how you've done the tones to have the boat pop, and the busy background recede but still stay interesting and provide context of an urban river.
@taffy I liked the shot to begin with,but felt it was too busy! I am not a lover of selective color, but knew I needed to do something to make the boat stand out more. Glad you think it works, I am always nervous when I etsooi!
Aha, the little boat that could. Love it. Thanks for the background story, makes the image even more interesting. I do like the way you've used colour to bring the boat to the fore against that mostly grey/white background.
