I have to keep my MacBook at the lowest light setting for WP, and even that bothers me.
I have a really hard time with illuminated white backgrounds but agree the dark contrast was too bright.
I like dark grey and sepia, and some shades of deep midnight blue.
My wallpaper and other backgrounds are always grey / black.
This has been my desktop picture, forever.
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And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.