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GLBAbout postwork in Photoshop (again)
116
Photoshop Post-Work in the Summer Fun Contest
Before I start working on my entry for the Summer Fun contest, I would like to revisit a question I asked during the Sexy Robot III contest.
Back then, I asked several detailed questions about what kinds of Photoshop post-work are considered acceptable. While the official answer confirmed that post-work is allowed and that Generative AI is prohibited, it didn't really clarify where the practical boundaries are when it comes to judging entries.
The rules simply state:
"Post-work in Photoshop or other software is allowed, but the original render must be done in 3D software."
That leaves quite a lot open to interpretation, especially for artists who use Photoshop professionally as part of their normal rendering workflow.
So, for the Summer Fun contest, I would appreciate a bit more clarification.
For example:
1. Is digitally painting additional light, shadows, or reflections over the render completely acceptable?
2. Is adding atmospheric effects such as haze, smoke, dust, particles, water splashes, glow, lens flares, or similar effects encouraged?
3. Is extensive color grading, exposure correction, contrast adjustment, or other photographic post-processing fully acceptable?
4. Is adding or enhancing depth of field, bloom, motion blur, or lens effects in Photoshop acceptable?
5. Is photobashing allowed, provided that the final artwork is still fundamentally based on the original 3D render?
6. Is there any point where Photoshop work becomes "too much," even if no Generative AI tools are used?
To be clear, I'm not referring to the new AI-assisted tools inside Photoshop. I'm talking about traditional digital painting and post-production techniques performed manually.
The reason I'm asking is that the Summer Fun contest appears to focus primarily on the quality and artistic impact of the final image rather than on modeling original assets. Because of that, understanding how much traditional post-production is considered acceptable would help everyone compete with the same expectations.
I think many artists-not just me-would benefit from a little more guidance, since Photoshop has become a standard part of professional 3D workflows.
Thanks in advance for clarification. It would be great if you address clearly all six of Q about postwork.
For reference here is link to my past questions https://www.renderhub.com/forum/14611/about-postwork-in-photoshop
Before I start working on my entry for the Summer Fun contest, I would like to revisit a question I asked during the Sexy Robot III contest.
Back then, I asked several detailed questions about what kinds of Photoshop post-work are considered acceptable. While the official answer confirmed that post-work is allowed and that Generative AI is prohibited, it didn't really clarify where the practical boundaries are when it comes to judging entries.
The rules simply state:
"Post-work in Photoshop or other software is allowed, but the original render must be done in 3D software."
That leaves quite a lot open to interpretation, especially for artists who use Photoshop professionally as part of their normal rendering workflow.
So, for the Summer Fun contest, I would appreciate a bit more clarification.
For example:
1. Is digitally painting additional light, shadows, or reflections over the render completely acceptable?
2. Is adding atmospheric effects such as haze, smoke, dust, particles, water splashes, glow, lens flares, or similar effects encouraged?
3. Is extensive color grading, exposure correction, contrast adjustment, or other photographic post-processing fully acceptable?
4. Is adding or enhancing depth of field, bloom, motion blur, or lens effects in Photoshop acceptable?
5. Is photobashing allowed, provided that the final artwork is still fundamentally based on the original 3D render?
6. Is there any point where Photoshop work becomes "too much," even if no Generative AI tools are used?
To be clear, I'm not referring to the new AI-assisted tools inside Photoshop. I'm talking about traditional digital painting and post-production techniques performed manually.
The reason I'm asking is that the Summer Fun contest appears to focus primarily on the quality and artistic impact of the final image rather than on modeling original assets. Because of that, understanding how much traditional post-production is considered acceptable would help everyone compete with the same expectations.
I think many artists-not just me-would benefit from a little more guidance, since Photoshop has become a standard part of professional 3D workflows.
Thanks in advance for clarification. It would be great if you address clearly all six of Q about postwork.
For reference here is link to my past questions https://www.renderhub.com/forum/14611/about-postwork-in-photoshop
! REPORT
I'm sorry, but no staff member will be able to answer differently from the last time these questions were asked. We see the contest description and rules exactly as participants do, and exactly as the judges will.
Although post-work is allowed in this contest, it's important to keep in mind that this is a 3D render contest and not a post-work contest. Therefore, focusing on the 3D aspect of the artwork is highly recommended. Additionally, if post-work is used in the final submission, including a raw render without post-work is recommended.
If you're curious to see what the judges will be looking for, you can check out the winners of the previous render contests here:
https://www.renderhub.com/3d-contests/
Good luck, and thanks for participating!
Although post-work is allowed in this contest, it's important to keep in mind that this is a 3D render contest and not a post-work contest. Therefore, focusing on the 3D aspect of the artwork is highly recommended. Additionally, if post-work is used in the final submission, including a raw render without post-work is recommended.
If you're curious to see what the judges will be looking for, you can check out the winners of the previous render contests here:
https://www.renderhub.com/3d-contests/
Good luck, and thanks for participating!
REPLY
! REPORT
Design Heretic
Karma: 17,252
Thu, Jul 23Thank you for the clarification.
If I understand correctly, then the answer is essentially that there is no defined boundary for traditional Photoshop post-work, and that its acceptability is ultimately left to the judges' interpretation on a case-by-case basis.
I completely respect that judging art is subjective.
However, the reason I asked six specific questions wasn't because I expected anyone to judge my future entry in advance. It was because each of those techniques—digital painting, atmospheric effects, photobashing, color grading, lens effects, and so on—represents a very different level of post-production.
Without knowing where the practical line is, artists naturally don't know whether they're competing under the same expectations.
For example, if Artist A submits a nearly raw render with only basic color correction, while Artist B submits a heavily painted image with extensive atmospheric effects and photobashing, both could honestly believe they're following the rules.
My concern isn't what the judges personally prefer.
My concern is that participants have no objective way of knowing where RenderHub believes a 3D render ends and post-production begins.
Perhaps there simply isn't such a line, and if that's the case, that's perfectly acceptable. Stating that explicitly would actually answer all six of my questions more clearly than trying to interpret individual techniques.
Finally, I would like to make one observation.
I don't think this is the kind of discussion that should be marked as "Closed." This isn't a support request that has been resolved, but a broader discussion about contest guidelines that is relevant to every current and future participant.
Closing a thread on a topic like this—without providing concrete answers to the questions raised—can unintentionally give the impression that the discussion itself is no longer welcome. I'm sure that isn't the intention, but I do think it can be perceived by parts of the community as unnecessarily dismissive or even passively aggressive toward users who are simply seeking clarification.
Open discussions about contest rules ultimately benefit everyone: participants, judges, and RenderHub alike.
Either way, thank you for taking the time to respond, and good luck to everyone participating.
If I understand correctly, then the answer is essentially that there is no defined boundary for traditional Photoshop post-work, and that its acceptability is ultimately left to the judges' interpretation on a case-by-case basis.
I completely respect that judging art is subjective.
However, the reason I asked six specific questions wasn't because I expected anyone to judge my future entry in advance. It was because each of those techniques—digital painting, atmospheric effects, photobashing, color grading, lens effects, and so on—represents a very different level of post-production.
Without knowing where the practical line is, artists naturally don't know whether they're competing under the same expectations.
For example, if Artist A submits a nearly raw render with only basic color correction, while Artist B submits a heavily painted image with extensive atmospheric effects and photobashing, both could honestly believe they're following the rules.
My concern isn't what the judges personally prefer.
My concern is that participants have no objective way of knowing where RenderHub believes a 3D render ends and post-production begins.
Perhaps there simply isn't such a line, and if that's the case, that's perfectly acceptable. Stating that explicitly would actually answer all six of my questions more clearly than trying to interpret individual techniques.
Finally, I would like to make one observation.
I don't think this is the kind of discussion that should be marked as "Closed." This isn't a support request that has been resolved, but a broader discussion about contest guidelines that is relevant to every current and future participant.
Closing a thread on a topic like this—without providing concrete answers to the questions raised—can unintentionally give the impression that the discussion itself is no longer welcome. I'm sure that isn't the intention, but I do think it can be perceived by parts of the community as unnecessarily dismissive or even passively aggressive toward users who are simply seeking clarification.
Open discussions about contest rules ultimately benefit everyone: participants, judges, and RenderHub alike.
Either way, thank you for taking the time to respond, and good luck to everyone participating.
Design Heretic
Karma: 17,252
Thu, Jul 23I'd also like to add one personal thought.
Having the clearest possible understanding of the judging criteria is genuinely important to me.
The reason is simple: throughout all the RenderHub contests I've participated in, I have never received so much as an Honorable Mention.
At the same time, RenderHub has selected my artwork for inclusion in both of its annual Art Books—both the digital and printed editions—as part of its curated collection of outstanding artwork published on the platform.
As an artist, I find that difficult to reconcile.
On one hand, my work is apparently considered strong enough to represent RenderHub in publications showcasing some of the platform's best artwork. On the other hand, that same body of work has never been considered worthy of even an Honorable Mention in any contest.
I'm not suggesting that I should have won, nor am I questioning the judges' decisions. Art is inherently subjective, and I fully respect that.
What I am saying is that this contrast makes me wonder whether I may be misunderstanding what the judges are actually looking for in these contests. That's precisely why I hoped for more detailed guidance regarding post-production and evaluation criteria.
If understanding those expectations helps me become a better artist and submit stronger entries in the future, then that benefits everyone.
Having the clearest possible understanding of the judging criteria is genuinely important to me.
The reason is simple: throughout all the RenderHub contests I've participated in, I have never received so much as an Honorable Mention.
At the same time, RenderHub has selected my artwork for inclusion in both of its annual Art Books—both the digital and printed editions—as part of its curated collection of outstanding artwork published on the platform.
As an artist, I find that difficult to reconcile.
On one hand, my work is apparently considered strong enough to represent RenderHub in publications showcasing some of the platform's best artwork. On the other hand, that same body of work has never been considered worthy of even an Honorable Mention in any contest.
I'm not suggesting that I should have won, nor am I questioning the judges' decisions. Art is inherently subjective, and I fully respect that.
What I am saying is that this contrast makes me wonder whether I may be misunderstanding what the judges are actually looking for in these contests. That's precisely why I hoped for more detailed guidance regarding post-production and evaluation criteria.
If understanding those expectations helps me become a better artist and submit stronger entries in the future, then that benefits everyone.
RenderHub Admin 1
Admin: 16,551
Fri, Jul 24"...If I understand correctly, then the answer is essentially that there is no defined boundary for traditional Photoshop post-work, and that its acceptability is ultimately left to the judges' interpretation on a case-by-case basis..."
That is correct.
"...participants have no objective way of knowing where RenderHub believes a 3D render ends and post-production begins..."
That is incorrect. It's not what "RenderHub believes". That is totally up to the judges.
Additionally, I think you might have stumbled across the issue with that statement. It seems you may have this concept reversed. It is up to the *participants to show the judges* how much of the final submission was actual 3D work and how much was post-work.
That's one reason artists include WIP images, and exactly why including a raw render without post-work is recommended.
"...Perhaps there simply isn't such a line, and if that's the case, that's perfectly acceptable. Stating that explicitly would actually answer all six of my questions more clearly..."
I can explicitly state that there is no such line defined in the rules for this contest.
https://www.renderhub.com/3d-contests/summer-fun-render-contest
"...I don't think this is the kind of discussion that should be marked as "Closed."..."
Neither do I, which is why this thread has NOT been closed. Are you seeing that on your end?
That is correct.
"...participants have no objective way of knowing where RenderHub believes a 3D render ends and post-production begins..."
That is incorrect. It's not what "RenderHub believes". That is totally up to the judges.
Additionally, I think you might have stumbled across the issue with that statement. It seems you may have this concept reversed. It is up to the *participants to show the judges* how much of the final submission was actual 3D work and how much was post-work.
That's one reason artists include WIP images, and exactly why including a raw render without post-work is recommended.
"...Perhaps there simply isn't such a line, and if that's the case, that's perfectly acceptable. Stating that explicitly would actually answer all six of my questions more clearly..."
I can explicitly state that there is no such line defined in the rules for this contest.
https://www.renderhub.com/3d-contests/summer-fun-render-contest
"...I don't think this is the kind of discussion that should be marked as "Closed."..."
Neither do I, which is why this thread has NOT been closed. Are you seeing that on your end?
RenderHub Admin 1
Admin: 16,551
Fri, Jul 24"...this contrast makes me wonder whether I may be misunderstanding what the judges are actually looking for..."
If you're looking for an opinion, I'll say that you very well might be misunderstanding. What the judges are looking for in a particular contest is drastically different from the criteria used for selecting work for the art books.
In my opinion, you do excellent work. That's why it has been included in the art books and gets featured on social posts. But the way judges might be interpreting things, it may very well be too much post-work for 3D art contests. That's why my previous reply focused on these things:
"...it's important to keep in mind that this is a 3D render contest and not a post-work contest..."
"...focusing on the 3D aspect of the artwork is highly recommended..."
"...if post-work is used in the final submission, including a raw render without post-work is recommended..."
If you're looking for an opinion, I'll say that you very well might be misunderstanding. What the judges are looking for in a particular contest is drastically different from the criteria used for selecting work for the art books.
In my opinion, you do excellent work. That's why it has been included in the art books and gets featured on social posts. But the way judges might be interpreting things, it may very well be too much post-work for 3D art contests. That's why my previous reply focused on these things:
"...it's important to keep in mind that this is a 3D render contest and not a post-work contest..."
"...focusing on the 3D aspect of the artwork is highly recommended..."
"...if post-work is used in the final submission, including a raw render without post-work is recommended..."