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M
media kat
Known Participant
October 16, 2017
Question

Location for placing Color Sampler Tool Targets?

  • October 16, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 676 views

1.) I want to sample 3 areas of skin tone from the nose of someone in a photo. There seems to be some shadow on the sides of the nostrils, so I sample that, there is also some shiny highlights so I sample that, as far as the midtones, should I just select any other area of skin that is not in the dark or highlights?

2.) I'm assuming that you need to place your Color Sampler Tool Targets on the layers that include the image data you are working with? Do I simply hide the top layer with the new nose layer mask and place a target on the shadows of the original nose, and turn on the new nose layer mask and place another target in the shadow areas of this nose?

3.) Both of my images are 5231 x 3585 and 5000 x 3255, though the nose pixels data I am taking from the 5000 x 3255 image is now much smaller than the original 5000 x 3255. Do I still use a sample size of 5X5 or should I be using a larger sample size?

Thanks for any help!

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    1 reply

    Silkrooster
    Silkrooster
    Legend
    October 16, 2017

    The color sample you choose samples from a group of pixels and will give you the average for that group. If you need to be more accurate you reduce the sample size. A larger size is helpful on say a gradient and you are not looking for a specific color but a general color of that area.

    The target is placed on the image it self. If you have an adjustment layer for example above it, you must make sure the image layer is selected. It may be necessary to temporarily hide the above layers if they drastically change the overall color of the image.

    M
    media katAuthor
    Known Participant
    October 17, 2017

    What would be a good sample size for matching a skin tone since it is not a solid color? 5X5 or a larger sample size?

    For clarification, even if a layer is selected that you want to sample from, will the results be thrown off if there are layers above it? Do you need to turn off all layers above the layer you are sampling from for accurate results?

    Thanks.

    M
    media katAuthor
    Known Participant
    October 18, 2017

    I'd be inclined to go as high as your resolution made practicable. Skin tones can be grainy, so if you hover while watching the Info panel, you'll be able to avoid non representative spikes.  You could average out the values by copying the layer, and going Filter  > Camera RAW and moving the clarity slider to the left.  This will smooth out any imperfections.


    I'm working on an image and when I use the Color Sampler Tool it only displays a K value and not the R,G,B values. Why is this? I switch the drop down in the Info panel next to the eye dropper icon and it displays R,G,B values, though each time I sample additional spots on the image afterwards it only shows the K value. The photo is in RGB mode. Why is this?

    Thanks.

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