Creative Direction | The Alchemist

Alchemy was never about turning lead into gold, it was about transformation.

The ability to imagine something that doesn't yet exist and bring it to life.

That's exactly what great compositing is.

Imagine you've been commissioned to create the key visual for a film, television series, video game or book cover that doesn't exist yet.

This category isn't about creating one beautiful photograph, it's about creating the complete visual foundation another artist will transform into something extraordinary.

Whether your concept is fantasy, science fiction, mythology, historical drama, surrealism, dark fantasy or something entirely your own is completely up to you.

We're not looking for one particular style, we're looking for one unforgettable vision.

Think like an alchemist and create a world another artist can't wait to build upon.

Unlike our other categories, this brief centres around one Hero Image.

The Hero Image represents your final creative vision, alongside it, you'll provide the Supporting Assets that allow another artist to recreate and interpret that vision through compositing.

These might include:

• Character portraits
• Alternative poses
• Expressions
• Props
• Background plates
• Empty plates
• Sky plates
• Textures
• Fabric or hair movement
• Any additional photographic elements that help bring your world to life

Think beyond a single image, build a complete production library.

Every asset should contribute to the same creative vision, every decision should help tell the same story.

Create the kind of files another artist dreams of receiving.

How Your Photography Will Be Used

We're looking for photographers to create the official competition images for the Composite Category of one of the Retoucher of the Year regional competitions.

The selected concept will become the official competition brief that talented compositing artists from around the world will interpret throughout the competition.

Beyond the competition itself, your work will continue to be shared through judging, interviews, educational content, social media, winner announcements and future Retoucher of the Year publications, always with full credit to you and your creative team.

Submission

Hero Image

Submit one final Hero Image that represents your complete creative vision.

This image will act as the visual target and creative direction for the competition.

Supporting Assets

Submit all the original photographic elements required to recreate your Hero Image through compositing.

Think of these as the building blocks of your world.

The more thoughtfully your Supporting Assets are planned and captured, the greater the creative possibilities for the artists interpreting your work.

Submission Deadline
6th of September 2026

Before You Submit

We want your photography, not your compositing.

The selected Hero Image and Supporting Assets will become the official competition files for Retoucher of the Year, where talented compositing artists from around the world will interpret your vision.

Focus on creating extraordinary source material.

The Alchemists will take it from there.

How to Apply

1. Register as a Photographer Collaborator

Start by joining our Photographer Collaboration Programme.

→ Register here:
https://retoucheroftheyear.com/photographers/reg

If you’d like to learn more about the programme, visit:

→ Photographer Collaboration:
https://retoucheroftheyear.com/photographer-collaboration

2. Submit Your Concept

To apply, please submit:

• One Hero Image
• All Supporting Assets used to create the concept
• A short creative statement explaining your vision, story and intended final artwork

3. If Your Series Is Selected

If your series is chosen as the official competition images, we’ll invite you to upload the original RAW files together with your brief.

These RAW files will become the official competition files for one of the Retoucher of the Year regional competitions.

What You’ll Receive

Selected photographers and creative teams will receive:

• Full credit for the entire creative team across all competition materials and publications
• The final images for your portfolio and promotional use
• International exposure through interviews, editorial features, social media campaigns and collaboration spotlights
• Visibility across a global community of photographers, retouchers, educators, agencies, studios and creative professionals
• A unique invitation to join the judging panel as a Special Guest Judge for your own image set

As a Special Guest Judge, you’ll select the colour grading that best reflects your original creative vision.
Your chosen retoucher will receive additional points towards their final score, and you’ll receive your chosen and final winning colour graded images for your own portfolio and promotional use.

More importantly, you’ll become part of an international initiative dedicated to celebrating collaboration between photographers and retouchers, raising creative standards, and recognising the craftsmanship behind exceptional imagery.

Still have questions?
We’re always happy to help. Reach out to us at hello@retouchleague.com.