Using a selection with Match Colors

Question

I'm using Match Color to match the colors from a layer composited into another photo. The source photo has a lot going on so I think Match Color is getting confused by the background and foreground elements in it. I made a selection on the source image, though when I go to Match Color, it is not working as expected. I only want the selection to be used to create a sample of the colors/light values to calculate, so I check ignore selection when applying adjustment, I also have use selection in source to calculate colors checked, and I have use selection in Target to calculate adjustment. Is this correct?

Thanks.

Norman Sanders · Answer

If you have ever had consistent success with Match Color, I salute you.

For example, I duplicated an image and changed Spring to Fall.

Fig 1 is the original image

Fig 2 is the reference image. The goal was to make Fig 1 closely match Fig 2.

Fig 3 is the Match Color result

Fig 4 is a duplicate of Fig 2, the reference image

I also made a selection of the top part of the reference image and placed it on a separate layer, to reduce color variety.

Did the same with the original image.

The result was far worse.

This boils down to a recommendation: before you rely on Match Color, try a few tests similar to this and draw your own conclusion. It is worth your time.

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