The Retouching Journal
by Timea Buknicz
May 18, 2026 | 10 min read
“This is where imagination meets precision.”
You’re competing in Alchemist — 1 Composition, built from a provided product shot. This is the category of bold ideas and flawless execution. We expect seamless blending, believable light and perspective, and creativity that pushes boundaries while still feeling real.
Here, your vision matters as much as your technique. Can you take a single image and turn it into something campaign-ready? The jury will be looking for work that feels imaginative yet convincing — where shadows, reflections, and perspective don’t break the spell.
Submission starts with JPGs (sRGB, Quality 12), but don’t forget: your PSD is your proof. If you reach the Top 50, we’ll dissect it carefully. Layers, masks, and structures must be intact and professional. Think of it as showing your process, not just your outcome. A beautiful composite is impressive — but a clean, logical file shows mastery.
Want to be featured?
Record your retouching session (screen recording) and keep it safe. If you reach the Top 50, you’ll be asked to send your PSDs — and at that time, your screen recording if you’d like to be featured.
BACK The Categories
Each category celebrates a different skillset:
- Rising Star — For emerging talents in Beauty or Product retouching.
- Supernova — For experienced professionals competing for the Retoucher of the Year title.
- Luminist — For Lightroom creators focused on tone, colour, and mood.
- Alchemist — For Photoshop masters who turn imagination into precision.
- Halo — For portrait retouchers where emotion meets restraint.
Some categories test pure technique.
Some measure taste and restraint.
Some challenge imagination.
Together, they capture the full spectrum of retouching as an art form.
This year’s challenge covers Beauty and Product retouching.
Next year, the challenge grows — with Jewellery and High-Detail categories, where only the most precise survive.
Organised By
Retouch League™ – United Kingdom
Founded by Tímea Buknicz, a Hungarian creative with over 20 years of experience in photography and visual arts.
Beginning her career as an artworker and award-winning photographer, she later moved to England, transitioning into high-end retouching and e-commerce production.
She has worked with London-based studios including Blend Studios, The Vow Studio, MADE.com and Ted Baker and has retouched beauty campaigns for brands such as Creed Fragrance and Miller Harris.
Her journey inspired the creation of Retouch League™ — a global platform giving visibility and respect to the invisible craft behind every great image.
The Jury
Each national round is judged by a panel of experts — senior retouchers, photographers, creative directors, cinematographers, and quality controllers from top studios.
They represent the highest level of technical and artistic understanding in the field.
Judging is anonymous, structured, and multi-step, balancing execution, adherence to brief, and creative impact.
Every jury ensures that skill, not popularity, defines excellence.
Why Participate
Because this is your moment to be seen — in your country, and across the global creative stage.
Because skill deserves visibility.
Because invisible work deserves light.
Because now, a perfectly executed image can change how the world sees you.
National Top 50
Each country’s Top 50 represents the most exceptional artists across all five categories combined.
It's not just a list — it’s a mark of mastery.
It reflects technical excellence, consistency, and creative vision — the standard of a nation’s craft.
To make it here means your work stood out not only for what it looked like — but how it was made.
The Vision
Retoucher of the Year is only the beginning.
The broader mission of Retouch League is to build the world’s first professional ecosystem for post-production:
- A global retoucher database for verified talent.
- A standardised skill-testing system for professional credibility.
- An educational platform dedicated to e-commerce retouching.
Because retouching deserves its own stage, recognition, and legacy.
We are building a global, skill-verified retoucher database.
A platform where professional standards are documented, structured and transparent.
Skill-verified means professional standards are demonstrated, not claimed.
Assessment is category-specific and based on structured test retouching.
Results are measured, scored and displayed transparently on each professional profile.
Secure early access and priority review ahead of public launch.
“This is where imagination meets precision.”
You’re competing in Alchemist — 1 Composition, built from a provided product shot. This is the category of bold ideas and flawless execution. We expect seamless blending, believable light and perspective, and creativity that pushes boundaries while still feeling real.
Here, your vision matters as much as your technique. Can you take a single image and turn it into something campaign-ready? The jury will be looking for work that feels imaginative yet convincing — where shadows, reflections, and perspective don’t break the spell.
Submission starts with JPGs (sRGB, Quality 12), but don’t forget: your PSD is your proof. If you reach the Top 50, we’ll dissect it carefully. Layers, masks, and structures must be intact and professional. Think of it as showing your process, not just your outcome. A beautiful composite is impressive — but a clean, logical file shows mastery. “This is where imagination meets precision.”
You’re competing in Alchemist — 1 Composition, built from a provided product shot. This is the category of bold ideas and flawless execution. We expect seamless blending, believable light and perspective, and creativity that pushes boundaries while still feeling real.
Here, your vision matters as much as your technique. Can you take a single image and turn it into something campaign-ready? The jury will be looking for work that feels imaginative yet convincing — where shadows, reflections, and perspective don’t break the spell.
Submission starts with JPGs (sRGB, Quality 12), but don’t forget: your PSD is your proof. If you reach the Top 50, we’ll dissect it carefully. Layers, masks, and structures must be intact and professional. Think of it as showing your process, not just your outcome. A beautiful composite is impressive — but a clean, logical file shows mastery.
Want to be featured?
Record your retouching session (screen recording) and keep it safe. If you reach the Top 50, you’ll be asked to send your PSDs — and at that time, your screen recording if you’d like to be featured.
The Vision
Retoucher of the Year is only the beginning.
The broader mission of Retouch League is to build the world’s first professional ecosystem for post-production:
- A global retoucher database for verified talent.
- A standardised skill-testing system for professional credibility.
- An educational platform dedicated to e-commerce retouching.
Because retouching deserves its own stage, recognition, and legacy.
Pre-Registration
Verified Retoucher Database
We are building a global, skill-verified retoucher database.
A platform where professional standards are documented, structured and transparent.
Skill-verified means professional standards are demonstrated, not claimed.Assessment is category-specific and based on structured test retouching.
Results are measured, scored and displayed transparently on each professional profile.
Secure early access and priority review ahead of public launch.
