Comments? Suggestions? I need all the help I can get! :)

[linuxuser12345]

Hi, I just entered my latest work into the Onieric contest on Flickr. Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6015453382/

Does anyone have any comments, suggestions, or criticism? I need all the help I can get! I am really hoping to get one of my works in this release! :)

[linuxuser12345]

Here's my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/

Please, I really want some feedback so I can alter my works for the better :)

[prokoudine]

1. AFAIK, Canonical is after silhouettes, not photos.

2. You put the "cat" in the center and it's looking to the left. The basic composition rule is that if the subject is glacing sideways, give it more space to glance at. Your other submission (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/5916520741/in/photostream) follows this rule.

3. There's no need to put "11.10" in there. I don't remember seeing number of release on Ubuntu wallpaper ever.

[linuxuser12345]

Yeah, I was thinking of Kubuntu for a little bit :P
Thank you. I will edit it shortly and post a new one.

[whatthefunk]

Why is the cat floating in space?

[linuxuser12345]

Okay, here is my new one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6016999157/in/pool-1731759@N21/
What do you think?

[linuxuser12345]

Why is the cat floating in space?
It's not really supposed to be "Space." It's more like "Defined Abstract." :P

[whatthefunk]

Personally, I dont want a cat on my desktop. I doubt many people do...

[linuxuser12345]

I made a simplified version, if you look on my Flickr.

[HunterDX77M]

Personally, I dont want a cat on my desktop. I doubt many people do...

I agree with this guy. But I do like the other ones you've got up. Particularly, Australian Aurora and Lens Distortion.

[Neon Lights]

Honestly, the fact that it's a very, very defined element against this blurry abstract background, it doesn't come off well. it's jarring. the cat photo in addition is extremely low quality, it looks like you tried converting it to 256 colors and then used inkscape's trace bitmap feature. it doesn't fit with the mood of the photo.

the lines are also just that. they're random lines in this space. if they were whisps or star trails, that'd be fine, but they're very crisp, clear, defined lines. they're too artificial, in a way? Perhaps try blurring them, and layer masking so they fade in and out?

[Copper Bezel]

And see, the lines are actually my favorite bit, while the purple thing looks like a palette swap on the OSX default background. They're dynamic but with a pattern enough to feel defined. I'd like to see the purple haze do something to echo the motion of the lines and maybe work in some of those crisp, defined edges as well.

[linuxuser12345]

Honestly, the fact that it's a very, very defined element against this blurry abstract background, it doesn't come off well. it's jarring. the cat photo in addition is extremely low quality, it looks like you tried converting it to 256 colors and then used inkscape's trace bitmap feature. it doesn't fit with the mood of the photo.

the lines are also just that. they're random lines in this space. if they were whisps or star trails, that'd be fine, but they're very crisp, clear, defined lines. they're too artificial, in a way? Perhaps try blurring them, and layer masking so they fade in and out?
I will try that :)

[linuxuser12345]

Actually, the cat is supposed to be low quality. It's "posterized"

[linuxuser12345]

Here you go! I removed the lines in the middle, and I blurred the more visible white ones. I also blurred the Ocelot a tad to make it's edges nice and smooth. Tell me what you think:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6021130891/in/pool-1731759@N21/

[linuxuser12345]

Okay, I have now near-perfected this project and have moved on to my next background project for 11.10. Here is a link to my latest work that I seriously need comments and/or criticism on:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6023102157/in/pool-1731759@N21/

I want to make my works as perfect as possible. Any comments? Suggestions? Criticism?

[AlphaLexman]

I like the colors, but I think the contrast is a little sharp!

Post some screenshots with a transparent terminal and/or conky.

Test for both 'black on white' colors and 'white on black'

[linuxuser12345]

Okay, I made five different alternative versions:
Low Contrast: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6023473575/in/photostream
Ultra-Low Contrast: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6024041178/in/photostream
Low Brightness/High Contrast: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6024029844/in/photostream
High Brightness/High Contrast: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6024030150/in/photostream
Lower Constrast w/ Crisp Darks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6024125888/in/pool-1731759@N21/
What do you think?

[AlphaLexman]

IMO, I like the Low Brightness/Low Contrast the best!

Best Wishes!

EDIT: Did you just add the Low Contrast/Crisp Dark ??

If so, slightly better !! Keep it up.

[linuxuser12345]

Yes, I just added the Low Contrast/Crisp Dark (aka Oneiric-final4)

[linuxuser12345]

Any suggestions, or are they pretty much perfect?

I really hope I get at least one of my works into the final cut!
I am very hopeful. :)

[AlphaLexman]

Any suggestions, or are they pretty much perfect?

I really hope I get at least one of my works into the final cut!
I am very hopeful. :)
I would suggest you spend more time analyzing the histograms of each image. Competition is tough, and your competitors are doing what I suggest, so why wouldn't you?

Keep in mind my thoughts about transparency with contrasts between black and white, as well as neutral grays.

If you are trying to capture the hearts of the Ubuntu community, you may need to balance your intuition with your heart and logic.

However, if your goal is to just please a few users, your scope does not need to be as broad.

Good Luck!

[linuxuser12345]

Okay, how do I check the contrasts in Gimp? Do you know?
I know how to change them in Gimp, but not check them.

[linuxuser12345]

I just uploaded another version to Flickr. I have added a few touches of gray and I softened the image up a little bit by messing with contrast without removing the crisp dark colors that also make it unique.
Here is the URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6023859801/in/pool-1731759@N21/

How is it? Anything I can improve on? Any suggestions?? Thank you so much for helping me out :)

[AlphaLexman]

Okay, how do I check the contrasts in Gimp? Do you know?
I know how to change them in Gimp, but not check them.
Go to 'Colors -> Info-> Histogram'

Although reading the graph does take some practice.

[linuxuser12345]

Are there any colors you would suggest me adding to this one (my favorite one):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6024125888/in/photostream
??

[linuxuser12345]

I created four different new versions featuring a more broad color palette.
Here they are:

Final-6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6027284922/in/pool-oneiric-wallpaper-submissions
Few overlay lines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6026741593/in/pool-oneiric-wallpaper-submissions
No overlay lines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6026748247/in/pool-oneiric-wallpaper-submissions
Waves w/ no overlay lines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64718148@N06/6026798677/in/pool-oneiric-wallpaper-submissions