Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1261)

474 Part II Project Interchange
4 Once the contrast has been adjusted the way you want it, click the Select Auto-balance
Color button (the eyedropper).
5 Move the pointer into the Frame Viewer 2 tab where clip 1 is showing. When the
pointer becomes an eyedropper, click a highlight in the actor’s face in clip 1.
The Match Color indicator fills with this color to let you know it’s been selected, and
either the Whites, Mids, or Blacks auto-balance controls highlight to let you know
which auto-balance control you should use in the next step.
When selecting a match color, the level of the color you select affects how well the
match works. When matching flesh tones, choosing a highlight generally gives the best
results, but in certain circumstances you may achieve better results choosing a midtone
or shadow.
Note: When selecting a highlight, make sure that the highlight you select is not
overexposed (for example, a reflection or excessive shine), but rather represents the
lightest area of the actor’s face that accurately represents the skin tone.
Click a highlight.