Task 2 How to Use the Match Color Command

The Match Color feature enables you to apply the color characteristics from a source image or layer onto a target layer or file. For example, if you're pulling together a series of headshots from different sources, Match Color can make them look like a more cohesive group, with consistent flesh tones, light temperatures, and color saturation.

1. Launch Match Color

With the target and source images open, select Image, Adjustments, Match Color. The Match Color dialog box opens.

2. Set the Source Layer or File

The source file or layer sets a correction baseline for color changes that are applied to the target file or layer. Select the open image from the Source pull-down menu in the Image Statistics section. To select a layer from the target image as a source, select it from the Layer pull-down menu. If the Preview check box is enabled, the image shifts color to reflect the source.

3. Modify Luminance

Drag the Luminance slider to adjust the tonal brightness to suit the subject matter in the target image.

4. Modify Color Intensity

Drag the Color Intensity slider to adjust the color saturation in the target image.

5. Fade the Effect

Increase the Fade slider to reduce the cumulative effect on the target image or layer. You can also enable the Neutralize check box to neutralize any color casts in the image. This option is good if you are making slight color modifications; it works less well in images that have a predominant color or light source.

6. Apply the Effect

Click OK to close the Match Color dialog box and apply the final effect. In this case, the blown-out sky and harsh highlights of the target image have been tamed, picking up the soft, muted landscape colors of the source image.

How-To Hints

Using Selections to Calculate Results

Selections are an effective way to modify the tonal set used in the Match Color calculations. In the source image, select a specific area to limit the source color information to the tonal range of only that area. With the area selected in the open source image, enable the Use Selection in Source to Calculate Colors check box in the Image Statistics section of the dialog box.

Color information from the source is applied using the tonal range of the target image. To restrict the tonal range of the target image, make a selection in the target image before launching the Match Color command. With an area selected in the target image, the final effect is applied to only the selection. To use the selected area as a calculation while applying the result to the entire image, enable the Ignore Selection when Applying Adjustment check box at the top of the Match Color dialog box.