You should properly convert your photo negatives to digital. They are really amazing photos but they are pictures that were developed/printed and then scanned by the looks of it. There are devices to hold your slides for scanners but I'm sure there are other methods.
Photo BG only: Photo BG + Maya Trees: Well real mountains kick the ass out of my crappy maya mountains that is for sure.
Its the first time in my whole life that I feel that ARZ is awesome. It feels really open and lovely to explore.
Obviously this is just a mock-up, and not the real thing - I agree that it definitely looks awesome! - but the look of the bg just doesn't really feel.... 'aquatic' enough yet; it's certainly in the right direction all right. It looks more like you're in a forest rather than a flooded ruined city (as the name suggests) at the moment. I think all it needs is some ruins in the background, and something that tells you there's areas that have been submerged; that would be seriously sweet! I am definitely having that as my wallpaper, anyway!
This is why we're trying out different -concepts- ICE I wouldn't mind seeing someone's interpretation on etching carvings into the pillars.
Well if ruins are added to the background I think they should be more Mayan or Aztec. Despite the Roman pillars. I mean, the coloring isn't Roman and neither is the vegetation...