First off, sorry for inconveniencing the mods the first time by not sizing this to the correct dimensions. I should have read the FAQ more carefully, and for that, I appologize.

Layers: 9
Time spent: Approximately 5 hours - on and off for a few days

This is my third attempt at a submission here, but this time I actually put a lot of time and effort into this wallpaper in order to make sure that it was polished. Thanks to the members of Session Zero for assisting me in making this look even better. It started as something very simple and lame, and came out as probably the best wallpaper I have been able to make.

The background itself is simply a stock photo that I have used from stock.xchng. However, the original seemed far too real for an anime wallpaper, so I used a blur technique, and a few blending options to retract some of the realism, while maintaining some believability and quality. The first version of the wall had a bright lens flare behind the Gundam which I intended to be the Sun, but it caused a harsh grain on the background, so I had to remove it. Thanks to the Session Zero member for pointing that out to me.

The Gundam gave me the most trouble for this wallpaper. It was rendered fairly well, but when I blended it with duplication and gaussian blur, it caused a purple outline around the character which took quite some time to remove again. Overall, I think it came out pretty nicely.

Finally, the text. The first version of the wallpaper used Impact font, but after some critique, it was changed. Also, the layers were duplicated and then a gaussian blur was added to the bottom layer in order to make it look as it does now. Choosing a colour also proved to be difficult, as I needed to find one that was suitable, between light purple, and blue. I am pretty satisfied with the outcome.

Thanks to all os the members in Session Zero for all of their help while making this wallpaper:
blu3angl - Gave the most input, even if you were brutally honest - but it was MUCH appreciated
Arei - Thanks for pointing out the grain caused by the lens flare

Other thanks: zack, mullen12, zarakiken, chibicrystal, alienzero

Thanks everyone. Even if this doesn't get accepted, I had a lot of fun making it, and learned much more about wallpaper design. I have a greater amount of respect for those who spend time on making wallpapers, as I have now experienced the real process of it. Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks for pointing out that this isn't the Strike, but indeed the Freedom. I have edited the text accordingly. No other changes.