Matching Color Between Documents

The Match Color command enables you to match colors in a single image or between images — a source image and a target image. But it doesn’t stop there. You can also match colors between layers or even selections. You can further refine your correction by adjusting the luminance and color intensity (saturation). This command is great for getting rid of color casts in a single image. It also works wonders for matching the color of the lighting between two images or layers — for example, if you want to realistically composite an image shot under fluorescent lighting and one shot in natural light. The Match Color command works only with RGB images, but be sure and apply this command before you perform any color conversions. Here is how to use the Match Color command to match one image with another:
1. Open the two images you want to match.
If you want, you can make selections in one or both of those images — for example, if you are creating a composite image from two separate images and want to match the lighting color or skin tones. Without selections, the overall target image is matched to the source image. I selected an image taken outdoors in natural light and one taken inside under fluorescent lights, which gives it a nasty green color cast. I want to eventually use the girl in each image in a composite and therefore want to try to match the skin tones.
2. Make sure your target image (the one that needs to be corrected) is the active file and choose Image-->Adjustments -->Match Color.
If you are using a specific layer in your target image, select that layer prior to choosing the command. Make sure you have selected the Preview option so you can view your adjustments on the fly.
3. In the Match Color dialog box choose your source image from the Source pop-up menu under Image Statistics. Select None if you’re working with only one image (the source image and target image are the same).
Remember, the source image contains the colors you want to match in the target image.
4. If you are using a particular layer in your source image, choose it from the Layer pop-up menu. You can also choose the Merged option to match the colors from all the layers.
5. If you have selections in your images, you can select one of the following options:
- If you have a selection in your source image but want to match the colors from the whole image, choose the Ignore Selection When Applying Adjustment option. It also applies the correction to the whole target image as well.
- On the other hand, choose the Use Selection in Source to Calculate Colors option if you want to use the colors in the selection in the source image. Deselect this option to ignore the selection in the source image and match the colors from the entire source image.
- Select the Use Selection in Target to Calculate Adjustment option if you want to adjust the color only in the selection in your target image.
6. Select the Neutralize option to remove any color casts in the target image.
When using the Match Color command, your cursor becomes the Eyedropper tool. This allows you to sample colors on your images and look at the color values in the Info palette while making your adjustments.
7. Adjust the Luminance by moving the slider or entering a value.
A higher value increases the brightness in the target image. A lower value decreases brightness.
8. Adjust the Color Intensity of your target image.
A higher value increases the color saturation, while a lower value decreases the saturation. Moving the slider to 1 desaturates the image to grayscale.
9. Use the Fade option to control the amount of adjustment that is applied to the target image, moving the slider to the right to reduce the amount.
10. If you want to save your settings to use on other images, click the Save Statistics button. Name the file and specify the location.
To reload the settings later, click the Load Statistics button and navigate to the file.
11. Click OK to apply the adjustment and exit the dialog box.