Hi,



Nice image, very smooth. Especially the naked chick on the beach you can just make out ;D

This is a beautiful picture... the only thing I can see making this even better is in motion...



Now I know this is an impossible idea, but how hard is it to render a picture like this in motion? I really don't know... I would imagine it would take an immense amount of time and may not even work!



All the same, I can't help but wish to be hypnotized by an animated version of this!



All the same! 9/10!!!



Keep up the good work!

The picture is very nice, however, I was wondering if you could put in some of the colors, and wave like motion into this picture like you did in the 2001 picture 'Symphony'? It's still better than anything I could even imagine. Once again, very nice. Thanks Ryan.

If I may be so bold and make this suggestion on modeling the aurora.



Looking at pictures of aurora and looking at it in person it appears very differently. When I've seen it in person it is always moving and twisting with ribbons that fade into the sky with long tails, halos or wisps. Its movement are in every possible direction, sometimes even giving the illusion of coming at you. Looking through the google images people like to illustrate the aurora with very bright overexposed images. However I feel this takes away from the mystery of its tranquil dancing ('song').



It has got tons of potential. Thanks for keeping up the good work!

So then the only "flaw" with this new version really is the with the lake water. In reality, even if it were pitch black, water would still be mirror reflective outside in the night and the water in the scene looks matte and dull. Making it be mirror reflective would be the perfect effect to make the scene really come alive like the original one was. Even though the light in the new scene has the different "spiky" look, I still think it's cool and I like it and I did notice the slight color change to green on the left side of the photo.



Another member mentioned they'd like to see an update to "Creation" sometime. I was thinking that myself for a while now that I'd love to see an update to that. That was such a cool-looking scene but was done so long ago that the software available at that time is noticably not as good as the software of your later works. Many of your earlier scenes has some really great ideas behind them but were just limited by the complexity of the available software at the time.

I was comparing them some more. The more that I look at the new one, the more I like it. The only thing that thows me off I guess is that the lake water doesn't have a high level of reflectiveness like the lake in the original. It makes the scene seem so much darker because of that.



I think the real preference for the original was because of the feeling of the scene being filled with light, even though you could tell that it was night time and that was visually and generally more appealing for viewers likely because of the softer more soothing feeling of the scene. Warmth and light is generally more appealing than cold and dark. This re-done scene has more of a "cold and dark" feeling when compared with the original scene. The original version was a dark and obvious night time scene and yet there was this definitely feeling of the scene somehow also being filled with light. I think that was such a cool effect that probably made it seem so much more like a photograph of a real scene rather than digitally created scene.

Wow! I like it, though I still prefer the original. The original was so very good that it didn't really need an update. It was always one of my favorites, probaby my top favorite, out of all of your wallpapers. The thing I liked best about the original in particular was the beautiful gradation of the lights from green to blue and the effect of the lights looking sheer with the starlit sky showing through from behind. The lake and it's reflections off of the water was a beautiful addition to the foreground and added the final perfect touch to the scene.



In the new photos, the lights do not have that same soft and sheer effect and the color of the light is brighter and not changing from green to blue, which is what I had thought made the original so much prettier. This new version is still very pretty though.

The clarity and beauty in this picture is incredible!



Just a question: are you supposed to be able to see stars through the light? my instinct says no, but then again I've never really seen one.



Thanks again for remaking such a great piece.

It already jumped to the top of the all time top 10, beating circumpolar! Hahaha that definitely says something!



BUT, as others have mentioned, the aurora is too linear. Whereas the one in the original is less smeared vertically, it is smoother and fans out radially to some degree.



That's about all I'd suggest in revising from this new one!



I love it!

I like it much better but I do agree the aurora effect is a little too vertical. Still a 10 for me!

The "Song of the Sky" seems a bit too harsh. It's so vertical and thin. I like the vibrancy of colors, but the shape of it - it looks (negatively) unnatural.



I also liked how the water had some reflection in the original.

Really like this but I agree with some others that the original truly was amazing & i think slightly I still prefer it. Still it'll be my desktop for a while :)

i must say i prefer the original significantly. i find the shafts of light in this new version too thin, and i'm missing the blend to green which made the original so gorgeous. i also find the reflections in the water much nicer in the original. here's hoping for a pickle jar version with softer, more colourful aurora and with aurora reflections.



here's my usual plea for my favourite, tendrils, in tri-screen glory.

Had I never seen the original, I think I would like this more than I do. The original was one of your first works I saw, and it reminds me of the Northern Lights on summer nights in Minnesota. It really resonated with my personal experience.



Editorial comments aside, I do greatly like this piece. Nice update. I like how the focus of the scene is upward, as if the trees are stretching to reach the heavens.

This is the best picture i've seen yet on here. The color is so beautiful and vibrant. Right when i saw it i felt obligated to comment on how well done it is. Great job!

i love this picture. It is just as good as the first. This pix shall stay on my desktop for a while!

I've never posted a comment before, I've silently loved your work for years, but I felt I had to post on this one. I really liked the original Song of the Sky (your night sceneries are my absolute favorites), but this is an incredible improvement on an already great piece. I love the updates to the classics, keep up the good work!

This is a great remake, thanks for doing it. Do you want nominations of other old wallpapers we'd like to see you revisit, or do you enjoy visiting your favs withour our input?



This is not "too dark" for me (as compared to the darker pumpkin head which was). The test is whether or not I can see the detail in the dark spots on my laptop: this is gorgeous because I can see the detail when I want to, but it's not overpowering as fits the image.

A very nice image there - the aurora - stunning. Your best aurora job yet. I just don't think it is worthy to be called an 'update' however - maybe a stand alone image. Part of the appeal of the 2000 one, was the lure of wandering off into the woods - Now there's a great big pond in the middle and the trees are together more. But I think it is a fabulous image by it's self, and well worth the wait.



Cheers Ryan!

I've never commented before, and I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said, but I felt compelled to say just how amazing this image is. It is going to be on my desktop for a very long time.



Thank you so much.

It is beautiful! Great remake!

The original is one of my favorite wallpapers on the site, and was also one of my late grandmother's favorites as well. I have to say this one does it lots of justice. Beautiful work.



Can't wait for a dual monitor version.

Awesome! The orginal was the very reason I became a member...

... with this beautiful reprise of song of the sky, one of my alltime DB-favorites.



Love to see Pickle Jar versions, like the original. Maybe the blue polarlight is a little too bright, but the general impression is fantastic.



9*

It is stunning! First word was "WOW!" Absolutely beautiful work, my man. I've seen different versions of the Aurora in movies, and in art work, but none of them come close to this. You are the best. Thank you. This one answers the question as to whether or not I'll sign up for another year: hell, yes!

Really nice improvements! The picture now is more soft and relaxing.

This is a gorgeous remake of a classic, but I really miss the green picture had and I don't think it needs to quite so overwhelmingly blue.

Never written a comment on the site before after all this years. I have to agree with a lot of what has already been said.



First, the earlier version is my favorite off all time. This isn't better-- it's just outstanding in its own right.



Second, I really think there needs to be some green in the picture. The old one was 'soothing' and was great. The new one is 'striking' and that is great as well, but at least up here in the north woods of Minnesota there are almost always greens blended in with the blue and every once in a while a little red too.



Green it up a little. But I still love this one as it is.

I'd rather see new and original works.

WOW another wonderful picture. I LOVE IT.



I like dark pictures for my computer's desktop, they work better for me. I also don't think this is too dark, I think it is wonderful. Another home run.



Thanks



Macmage in MD

I had to squint, cos it looked like some goofy shadows were along the bank, but they're wolves! Fantastic!



I will agree that the streaky look of the aurora isn't as peaceful as the soft-glow 2000 version, but there ARE TIMES when auroras are streaky like that.



I like remakes because it shows everyone just how much technology - and talent! - has improved in the meantime.



If it were less streaky, I'd rate it a nine. With streaks, I give it an eight.

Skysong and Symphony are two of my all-time favorites and are tough to improve upon. I really like the new one, but also wonder if it would look even better with some green, purple, and possibly even some falling snow...

I really like it, more than the original, but I agree that it needs to have some different colors in it than just blue. A little green and purple would be nice.



Other than that; awesome! Could you update "Creation", please! It's one of my favorites, but a little outdated.



Thanks!

Absolutely love this picture. The background looks amazing, and the foreground is very good. Like you said, it is darker, and so the contrast is pretty low in the foreground. Despite this, I think it works very well since the eye is naturally drawn to the lights in the background.



Keep up the good work.

Very nice. I like it lots.

I love the colors, but I agree that the arora is a little too sharp. It makes the whole picture feel "squeezed". I think if you can smooth thoes out, you will have your best yet!



The clarity of the tress is awesome, don't change anything there.

That is a fine job you've done, keep up the good work!

Its always a difficult job improving classics, but this one has come out well. Good Job!!!

The auroras don't look like the real thing - they're too "jagged," for lack of a better word. A normal aurora looks a bit like a ribbon with a halo effect around it. This looks like you made an aurora but then (pretending this is on canvas for a moment) dragged a comb through it and pulled "lines" out from it. It looks kind of "off" to me is all.

Beautiful! I love it!



You had to pick my favorite color! :)



Could you make one for the picklejar that incorporates a little bit of green into the sky as well? That would be cool!



Officially my new wallpaper for all my machines and eagerly awaiting the dual-widescreen!

Awesome!



Could we have a dual screen version too please?

Ryan, you are like me in that you like BLUE! I love most of your art for the simple fact that alot of it has Blue, however this one has a tad too much blue IMO. I think some magenta and hues of light purple would trick this picture out big time. Still a great piece of work dont get me wrong, but the aformentioned colors like I mentioned would add a great touch.

I hate giving compliments and then saying but, buuuut :) This one stands on its own very well. The only thing that I think is lacking is a bit more color. I think what made the original song of the sky so great was the blues and greens. This one feels cold.



Northern lights are so full of color. This render feels like you're looking at the trees from under water. I think this would be much improved with colors to make it feel alive instead of cold.



Your work is incredible and you are the artist. So I bow to your discretion on whether to leave it as is or to change it. :D

Beautiful rendition of the original Song of the Sky. However, I definitely would add some more reflectiveness to the lake, it was one of the best aspects of the original.



Great work,



Michael

I would never have noticed the wolves if someone hadn't mentioned them. Neat! Could that be made more conspicuous? Or maybe a day version of this?

The first Song of the Sky was always one of my favorites, and this is a great update. Love this one. :)



And I just noticed the wolf pack running through the trees, nice touch!

Song of the sky is one of my all time favorites and this is BEAUTIFUL!!



Oh, thank you for a great membership year! :)



I wish I could give it an 11!

Excellent. This is my favorite so far this year.

HA! I just noticed both the new and the original Song of the Sky's are in the All Time Top 10

Again, WOW! I'm loving these updates, and this is no exception. But I hafta say, I agree with some of the others about the sky and water. It does have that Aurora Borealis effect going, but it's a little much. And with a sky that bright, seems odd that the water barely reflects anything. But it's still an AMAZING piece.



Ryan, thank you again for another great wallpaper!



Aesir

I've always loved the original Song, and also Symphony which I think is related. This is even better on my current monitor. Thanks again for all you do!



I can't wait until I move to the top of the list for a new computer at work. I'll be getting dual monitors then, and be able to experience your work in a whole new way.

Stunning!

"Song of the Sky" (I just think of it as Skysong) is one of my old favorites. In fact, I'd say it's a close second to the recently posted "Autumn Summer" for my favorite Digital Blasphemy wallpaper ever. I'm afraid if I compare new and old I'll just keep saying "but the original did X!" So I won't :-)



I quite like this on its own, particularly the rendering of the trees. My only complaint would be that the lights could stand to be a little less vivid and more diffuse. The lower part of the image is quite dark (which I like), and the upper part doesn't seem to match that. Surely there would be more light shimmering in the water?



Anyway, I'm quibbling. 9/10

I'd say this is in my 3 or 4 all time favorites of your work. This is really an incredible looking piece, awesome job!

Song of the Sky has long been my favorite DB picture, and I am very excited that you've chosen to re-render it! That said, I think this version could stand a few improvements. In my opinion, the sky smears are too noticeable - they could be smoothed out and reduced a bit. Also, I would love to see more snow and snow on the ground. Finally, the image is a bit dark for me...perhaps if it were lightened a bit and some green were added to the sky? I look forward to seeing new versions of this, even if they are just Pickle Jar versions. Keep up the great work!

I tend to agree with SirAbbodon, the streaking appearance is less pleasant than the original, which as it happens is one of my favorites also, and in fact is my current wallpaper. Still good work, and I do not have trouble with the darkness you mentioned on my monitor

The streaking in the sky looks odd. The smooth glow of the original was better. The sky in the new image looks like the wind effect from photoshop. It feels disjointed and artificial.

Holy crap Ryan.



You've just made my favoritist image even better!



Thank you! Tis awesomes!

It's beautiful Ryan. I rated it a 10

Just as awe inspiring as the original. Cool!

This is a great pic for the Holiday season.

Where is my cigar and glass of brandy when I need it???

I think the water in the original version of this was one of the most compelling and beautiful parts. I like almost every aspect of this new render more than the original, despite the original having long been one of my favorite images. I do think, however, that it loses something by the water not reflecting as well what's going on in the sky, particularly as the sky is much brighter in this one.

Yeah a winter version of this with snow, maybe iced over water would be very nice. But otherwise I cant wait for the dual screen.

Wow, I really can't wait for a triple screen version of this one. I love the darker backgrounds, as I've said before, but this one might just become my new favorite; Maybe its time too, I've been reverting back to "The Overseer" for quite some time now, but only time will tell.

Nice work as always.

Looks very peaceful..almost like it belongs in Alaska. Hmm, maybe some snow would help us prepare for this winter?



Great job as always!