Match One Object’s Color to Another in Photoshop (Exact Match)
In this tutorial, you’ll match the exact color from one photo to an object in another using Photoshop’s Match Color. You’ll create tight selections, sample a source color area, and blend the result non-destructively. By the end, you’ll get an accurate hue transfer with clean edges and easy masking for touch-ups.
Step-by-step instructions
Prep both images and select the source color
Open both the target image (object to recolor) and the source image (color you want).
In the source image, grab the Rectangular Marquee Tool and draw a selection around the area of the exact color you want to sample.
Select the target object by color
Switch to the target image.
Go to Select → Color Range.
Click with the Eyedropper inside the object’s color; use the + Eyedropper to add more areas.
Adjust Fuzziness until only the object’s color is selected cleanly.
Use the Quick Selection Tool to refine; hold Alt/Option to subtract brakes/lights or other parts you don’t want.
Isolate the selection on its own layer
Press Ctrl/Command+J to copy the selection to a new layer.
Ensure only the object area exists on this new layer.
Match the color from the source image
With the new object layer active, go to Image → Adjustments → Match Color.
Set Source to the source document (e.g., the fish image).
Enable Use Selection in Source to Calculate Colors to sample only the selected color region in the source.
Optionally fine-tune Luminance, Color Intensity, and Fade until it looks close.
Click OK.
Blend and refine the result
Change the object layer’s Blend Mode to Hue to transfer only the hue and preserve lighting and texture.
Click Add Layer Mask on the object layer.
Select the Brush Tool (soft round), press D then X to paint with black, and mask out any parts (e.g., brake calipers, lights) that should keep their original color.
Fine-tune opacity or re-brush as needed for a clean finish.
