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Match the color between two scenes

The Color Match effect (Windows only) can transfer color information from one image or clip to another. For example, use Color Match if you want to use the color‑corrected color information in one clip as the basis for correcting the color of another clip. Or, if you have an image containing an area that you consider ideal and you would like to transfer color information from it to another image. This effect works best when you work between two images with slightly different exposures, such as those shot in identical locations, but on different days, or in slightly different lighting conditions.

If you need more control than the Color Match effect offers, use the Secondary Color Correction controls in the RGB Corrector, RGB Curves, and Three‑Way Color Corrector. These controls let you adjust a single color or a range of colors.
  1. In a Timeline panel, select the clip you want to adjust so it appears in the Program Monitor.
  2. If you want to match the information in the displayed clip to another clip in your project, open that other clip in the Source Monitor.
  3. Apply the Color Match effect to the clip you want to adjust.
  4. In the Effect Controls panel, click the triangle to expand the Color Match effect.
  5. Choose a method for matching the clips from the Method menu:
    HSL
    Matches using the hue, saturation, and luminance values in the clips. You can select whether to apply the effect to either a single component or any combination of the hue, saturation, or luminance components.

    RGB
    Matches using the values of the red, green, and blue channels in the clips. You can select whether to match only one of the channels or any combination of the channels.

    Curves
    Matches using the curves (brightness and contrast) values in the clips. You can also select whether to match only one of the channels or any combination of the channels.

  6. Select a Sample eyedropper and click an area in either the Source Monitor or Program Monitor that represents the property that you want to match. You can use eyedroppers for shadows, midtones, highlights, or all tonal ranges (Master).
    Note: You can also click the color swatch next to an eyedropper tool and use the Adobe Color Picker to select a color.
  7. Select the Target eyedropper with the same property as the Sample eyedropper. Click an area in the Program Monitor that represents the property that you want to correct. For example, if you’ve selected a midtone sample area, click the Midtone Target eyedropper in the area in the target clip that you want to change.
  8. Expand the Match category in the Color Match effect, and click the Match button. In the Program Monitor, the target area changes to match the source area.
  9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 to add other adjustments.