refactor: drop light wallpaper variant, show original beside each sample

This commit is contained in:
Richard Zink
2026-09-22 11:45:05 +02:00
parent b04bd317fd
commit e87d062503
21 changed files with 44 additions and 61 deletions
+25 -28
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@@ -1,19 +1,17 @@
# `ash-wallpaper.sh` — guide
Turns a color photo into an **Ash** wallpaper: the image is reduced to
Ash-tinted greys, while warm *ember/gold* highlights (sunsets, fire, lamps,
skin tones) are selectively kept — the "Pleasantville" effect.
Ash-tinted greys (dark variant), while warm *ember/gold* highlights (sunsets,
fire, lamps, skin tones) are selectively kept — the "Pleasantville" effect.
## Quick start
```sh
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg # -> photo-ash-dark.png AND photo-ash-light.png
DARK=1 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg # only the dark variant
LIGHT=1 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg # only the light variant
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg # -> photo-ash.png
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg out.png # custom output path
```
Requirements: ImageMagick 6.9+ or 7 (`convert` / `magick`). 4K input takes ~10s
per run (the mask is computed once, both variants share it).
Requirements: ImageMagick 6.9+ or 7 (`convert` / `magick`). 4K input takes ~10s.
All knobs are environment variables read once per run — tune one, rerun,
compare.
@@ -28,8 +26,8 @@ compare.
3. **Softening** — the combined mask is blurred, then re-sharpened with
`SENSITIVITY` so highlights fade into the greys instead of showing hard
cut-out edges.
4. **Base** — a desaturated copy is tinted along the Ash grey ramp
(`BASE_LO` shadows → `BASE_HI` highlights).
4. **Base** — a desaturated copy is tinted along the Ash dark ramp
(`BASE_LO` shadows → `BASE_HI` highlights, default void → chalk).
5. **Composite** — the original photo, with saturation multiplied by
`EMBER_BOOST`, is laid over the base through the mask.
@@ -37,14 +35,13 @@ compare.
| Variable | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `DARK` / `LIGHT` | off | Set to `1` to render **only** that variant. Without them, both are written. |
| `HUE_MAX` | `13%` | Upper edge of the warm band, in percent of the hue circle (360°). `13%` ≈ 47°, so reds, orange, ember and gold survive; yellows from ≈47° and all greens/blues fall out. |
| `HUE_MIN` | `94%` | Lower edge of the wrap-around band (`≥ 338°`). Catches deep crimson/cherry reds whose hue sits just below 360°. |
| `SAT_MIN` | `12%` | Saturation (HSL) below which a pixel becomes full grey, no matter its hue. Raise to make the image more monochrome (e.g. muted/desaturated photos: `1825%`). |
| `SAT_MAX` | `45%` | Saturation at which the highlight is fully kept. Pastel skies/candle-lit scenes peak below 45% — lower it (`2535%`) to let soft colour through; raise it (`5570%`) to keep only the most saturated embers. |
| `SENSITIVITY` | `8x45%` | `-sigmoidal-contrast` applied to the mask: `contrast x midpoint`. Higher contrast → crisper, more cut-out-looking highlights; lower (e.g. `3x50%`) → dreamier, feathered bleed. The midpoint shifts the whole mask: `>50%` = only the most certain warm pixels, `<50%` = more generous. |
| `EMBER_BOOST` | `130` | Saturation multiplier (%) on the surviving pixels, so the remaining embers read against all that ash. `100` = untouched colours, `160+` = intense glow. Applied to *all* channels of those pixels, so already-saturated fire can clip — reduce if it looks neon. |
| `BASE_LO` / `BASE_HI` | preset ramps | Exact endpoints of the grey ramp (dark: `#100f12 → #f3ede1`, light: `#b7ae98 → #f2ecdf`). Any colour works, e.g. `BASE_LO=#1c1b1f BASE_HI=#e6dfd1` for a flatter panel→bone ramp. |
| `BASE_LO` / `BASE_HI` | `#100f12` / `#f3ede1` | Endpoints of the grey ramp (void → chalk). Any colours work, e.g. `BASE_LO=#1c1b1f BASE_HI=#e6dfd1` for a flatter panel→bone ramp. |
### Where the Ash palette sits in the hue wheel
@@ -65,8 +62,8 @@ For reference when widening/narrowing the band (hue in IM percent ≈ degrees/36
## Samples
Freely-licensed photos from Wikimedia Commons, run through the script (900 px
previews). Each entry lists the exact command; both variants come from a
single run.
previews). Each entry lists the exact command; the originals are shown for
comparison and credit.
### Sunset over the sea
@@ -74,12 +71,12 @@ single run.
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh sunset.jpg
```
| Dark | Light |
| Original | Ash |
|---|---|
| ![sunset dark](../images/samples/ash-sunset-dark.jpg) | ![sunset light](../images/samples/ash-sunset-light.jpg) |
| ![sunset original](../images/samples/sunset-original.jpg) | ![sunset ash](../images/samples/ash-sunset.jpg) |
Source: [“Leigh-on-Sea beach sunset (Unsplash)”](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leigh-on-Sea_beach_sunset_(Unsplash).jpg)
by Joshua Fuller, CC0 — no attribution required, given anyway.
by Joshua Fuller, CC0.
### Campfire close-up
@@ -87,9 +84,9 @@ by Joshua Fuller, CC0 — no attribution required, given anyway.
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh campfire.jpg
```
| Dark | Light |
| Original | Ash |
|---|---|
| ![campfire dark](../images/samples/ash-campfire-dark.jpg) | ![campfire light](../images/samples/ash-campfire-light.jpg) |
| ![campfire original](../images/samples/campfire-original.jpg) | ![campfire ash](../images/samples/ash-campfire.jpg) |
Source: [“Closeup of raging flames in a large bonfire”](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closeup_of_raging_flames_in_a_large_bonfire._-_Flickr_-_shixart1985.jpg)
by Nenad Stojkovic, [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/).
@@ -100,9 +97,9 @@ by Nenad Stojkovic, [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/).
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh autumn.jpg
```
| Dark | Light |
| Original | Ash |
|---|---|
| ![autumn dark](../images/samples/ash-autumn-dark.jpg) | ![autumn light](../images/samples/ash-autumn-light.jpg) |
| ![autumn original](../images/samples/autumn-original.jpg) | ![autumn ash](../images/samples/ash-autumn.jpg) |
Source: [“Münster, Park Sentmaring 2015 9923”](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M%C3%BCnster,_Park_Sentmaring_--_2015_--_9923.jpg)
by Dietmar Rabich, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
@@ -116,9 +113,9 @@ HUE_MAX=17% SAT_MIN=8% SAT_MAX=60% SENSITIVITY=4x50% \
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh city.jpg
```
| Dark | Light |
| Original | Ash |
|---|---|
| ![city dark](../images/samples/ash-city-dark.jpg) | ![city light](../images/samples/ash-city-light.jpg) |
| ![city original](../images/samples/city-original.jpg) | ![city ash](../images/samples/ash-city.jpg) |
Source: [“Windy City of Lights (ISS070-E-105097)”](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windy_City_of_Lights_(153622).jpg),
astronaut photograph, NASA/JSC Crew Earth Observations — public domain.
@@ -131,9 +128,9 @@ Only hair and lips keep their colour; skin stays close to bone:
SAT_MIN=18% EMBER_BOOST=150 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh portrait.jpg
```
| Dark | Light |
| Original | Ash |
|---|---|
| ![portrait dark](../images/samples/ash-redhead-dark.jpg) | ![portrait light](../images/samples/ash-redhead-light.jpg) |
| ![portrait original](../images/samples/redhead-original.jpg) | ![portrait ash](../images/samples/ash-redhead.jpg) |
Source: [“Woman redhead natural portrait 1”](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woman_redhead_natural_portrait_1.jpg)
by dusdin (Flickr), cropped by Gridge, [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/).
@@ -141,7 +138,7 @@ by dusdin (Flickr), cropped by Gridge, [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/l
## Recipes
```sh
# Warm sunset landscape, keep the drama (writes BOTH dark and light)
# Warm sunset landscape, keep the drama
tools/ash-wallpaper.sh sunset.jpg
# Night city: street lamps are soft yellow-orange, need a wider + softer gate
@@ -153,8 +150,8 @@ SAT_MIN=18% EMBER_BOOST=150 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh portrait.jpg
# Almost pure grey with faint traces of ember
SAT_MIN=20% SAT_MAX=70% EMBER_BOOST=100 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg
# Light-themed desktop
LIGHT=1 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh beach.jpg
# Flatter, dimmer base ramp
BASE_LO=#1c1b1f BASE_HI=#e6dfd1 tools/ash-wallpaper.sh photo.jpg
```
## Batch generation
@@ -172,7 +169,7 @@ cycles through them with `Super+Ctrl+Space`:
```sh
mkdir -p ~/.config/omarchy/backgrounds/ash-dark
cp photo-ash-dark.png photo-ash-light.png ~/.config/omarchy/backgrounds/ash-dark/
cp photo-ash.png ~/.config/omarchy/backgrounds/ash-dark/
```
## Troubleshooting
+18 -30
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@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# ash-wallpaper.sh — turn a color photo into Ash-palette wallpapers:
# ash-wallpaper.sh — turn a color photo into an Ash-palette wallpaper:
# grayscale body tinted toward the Ash tones, with warm "ember" highlights
# (reds/oranges/golds) selectively preserved. Pleasantville-style.
#
# usage: tools/ash-wallpaper.sh INPUT [OUTBASE]
# usage: tools/ash-wallpaper.sh INPUT [OUTPUT]
#
# By default BOTH variants are rendered:
# OUTBASE-dark.png (void -> chalk ramp)
# OUTBASE-light.png (stone -> paper ramp)
# Set DARK=1 to render only dark, LIGHT=1 to render only light.
# OUTBASE defaults to INPUT-without-extension + "-ash".
# OUTPUT defaults to INPUT-without-extension + "-ash.png".
#
# tuning via environment (defaults shown):
# HUE_MAX=13% warm band: hue <= HUE_MAX
@@ -18,25 +14,22 @@
# SAT_MAX=45% at/above this saturation the highlight is full
# EMBER_BOOST=130 saturation multiplier (%) applied to highlight areas
# SENSITIVITY=8x45% sigmoidal contrast of the final mask
# BASE_LO= BASE_HI= override the grey ramp endpoints (applies to both
# rendered variants unless only one is generated)
# BASE_LO= BASE_HI= grey ramp endpoints (void -> chalk)
set -euo pipefail
IN=${1:?usage: ash-wallpaper.sh INPUT [OUTBASE]}
OUTBASE=${2:-${IN%.*}-ash}
IN=${1:?usage: ash-wallpaper.sh INPUT [OUTPUT]}
OUT=${2:-${IN%.*}-ash.png}
HUE_MAX=${HUE_MAX:-13%}
HUE_MIN=${HUE_MIN:-94%}
SAT_MIN=${SAT_MIN:-12%}
SAT_MAX=${SAT_MAX:-45%}
EMBER_BOOST=${EMBER_BOOST:-130}
SENSITIVITY=${SENSITIVITY:-8x45%}
BASE_LO=${BASE_LO:-#100f12}
BASE_HI=${BASE_HI:-#f3ede1}
if command -v magick >/dev/null; then IM=magick; else IM=convert; fi
if [[ ${DARK:-0} == 1 ]]; then VARIANTS=(dark)
elif [[ ${LIGHT:-0} == 1 ]]; then VARIANTS=(light)
else VARIANTS=(dark light); fi
TMP=$(mktemp -d)
trap 'rm -rf "$TMP"' EXIT
@@ -50,18 +43,13 @@ trap 'rm -rf "$TMP"' EXIT
"$IM" "$TMP/band.png" "$TMP/satmask.png" -compose Multiply -composite \
-gaussian-blur 0x2 -sigmoidal-contrast "$SENSITIVITY" "$TMP/mask.png"
for preset in "${VARIANTS[@]}"; do
case "$preset" in
dark) lo=${BASE_LO:-#100f12}; hi=${BASE_HI:-#f3ede1} ;;
light) lo=${BASE_LO:-#b7ae98}; hi=${BASE_HI:-#f2ecdf} ;;
esac
# ash base + ember-touched highlights, joined by the mask
"$IM" "$IN" \
\( -clone 0 -modulate 100,0 +level-colors "$lo","$hi" \) \
\( -clone 0 -modulate "100,$EMBER_BOOST" \) \
-delete 0 \
\( +clone "$TMP/mask.png" -alpha off -compose CopyOpacity -composite \) \
-delete 1 -compose Over -composite \
-colorspace sRGB "$OUTBASE-$preset.png"
echo "wrote $OUTBASE-$preset.png"
done
# ash base + ember-touched highlights, joined by the mask
"$IM" "$IN" \
\( -clone 0 -modulate 100,0 +level-colors "$BASE_LO","$BASE_HI" \) \
\( -clone 0 -modulate "100,$EMBER_BOOST" \) \
-delete 0 \
\( +clone "$TMP/mask.png" -alpha off -compose CopyOpacity -composite \) \
-delete 1 -compose Over -composite \
-colorspace sRGB "$OUT"
echo "wrote $OUT"