How to Match Colors Fast for Composites in Photoshop

Hey, Creatives! In this video we’ll cover the favorite tried and true method I use most to match colors in Photoshop for composites. It’s fast and quite easy to integrate into your work flow. I use it in nearly every composite either as a base, or final method of asset integration. This is one of many tools you can place into your creative toolbox to pull when you need it.

I used to spend a lot of time getting the “perfect” color match, meticulously tweaking colors with curves, color balance, selective color and other tools. We’ll get into deeper discussions on my feelings of perfection as the channel grows, but learning to trust your vision is key. If it looks right, it is right and getting the experience to know the difference is key. Using tricks like these allow you to spend less time perfecting and more time creating. The main reason I use this method is because it’s fast, effective and makes life easier. Time is money when compositing, retouching and working on commissioned projects and this method is definitely a way to get a good base, if not what you need from the get go.

Things to note when using this method:

- It works great in most cases. Sometimes I’ll use a layer mask on the curves layer and slightly remove the adjustment from skin tones if it’s too heavy.

- Make sure you have the Layer thumbnail selected and not the Layer Mask for the curves. You’ll quickly find out why :D we all do it, often lol

- Pure black and Pure white samples won’t work with this method when matching colors. If you have photos with values that are clipped or pure in value make sure to select the closest range that has color value.

- Make sure to deselect Snap Midtones prior to sampling colors. I don’t like PS defining mid-tones for me. Feel free to try it out and see what works best for you! Everyone has different workflows, might be good for yours.

- Generally speaking, don’t save your target colors as defaults when exiting the Advanced Color Correction Options dialog. If you do you’ll automatically have your selected colors pop in when using this method. It can get annoying if done on accident but can be reverted.

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