I will often take renders our 3D artists create and manipulate them in Photoshop to create a final marketing image we can use for various materials needed.
Original satellite render
Final composition created using Photoshop
The Process
Original render
Satellite render created by CG artist
Satellite added to background
Found a stock image of Earth and added the satellite to the image and figured out the composition I liked.
Stars
Decided that the image felt empty, so I added stars to the background.
Space gas
The image still felt like it was missing something. I added "space clouds" to give the graphic more visual interest and add more color to the overall piece. Might not be realistic...but it looks cool.
Satellite adjustments
Here is when I began making adjustments to the values on the satellite, deepening the shadows and adding some color to them. Added subtle color to the mesh reflector and brightened the blue in the solar panels a smidge.
Finish sat
I put the finishing touches on the satellite by adding a subtle reflection of space onto the solar panels.
Final
Added two more satellites to give the appearance of a constellation.
