Frequently Asked Questions
Is ShotMatch safe to use regarding copyright?
Color grading (matching, presets, blending, white balance, video grading) is entirely based on traditional color science algorithms. No generative AI is involved — your images are transformed using deterministic mathematical operations. No copyrighted material is produced or referenced in the process.
You retain full ownership of your uploaded images and the results produced. ShotMatch does not use your content to train any models.
What is a credit?
One credit = one image processed. Whether you use Natural, Direct, Smooth, or Balanced, each image costs 1 credit.
How much do AI features cost?
AI Suggest and AI Refine cost 2 credits each. These features use AI to analyze your image and generate intelligent color grading suggestions.
Do unused credits roll over?
Yes. Subscription credits roll over from month to month, up to a maximum of twice your monthly allocation (e.g. 2,000 for Pro). Purchased credit packs never expire and have no cap. Credits are non-refundable.
Is there an annual billing option?
Yes. All paid plans are available with annual billing at a ~17% discount. You receive your full year of credits upfront. Toggle between Monthly and Annual on the pricing page.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. You'll keep access until the end of your billing period.
What are presets?
ShotMatch ships with 60+ ready-to-use color grades across three collections: Film — faithful emulations of iconic analog stocks like Kodak Portra, Fuji Velvia, CineStill 800T, Ilford HP5, and many more; Cinematic — grades inspired by the signature palettes of landmark films; and Mood — creative looks like Golden Hour, Nordic, and Dreamy. Every preset includes a full-range intensity slider so you can dial it from subtle to full-strength. 1 credit per image.
How are film emulation presets made?
Our film presets are derived from sensitometric data — characteristic curves, spectral sensitivity, and dye-density measurements — and calibrated in LAB color space to faithfully reproduce the color response, tonal characteristics, and grain structure of each original emulsion. No guesswork, no screenshots, no "inspired-by" approximations: every preset is grounded in measured data and cross-validated against multiple independent references. The result is noticeably more accurate than typical one-click filters — especially in skin tones, shadow rolloff, and highlight behavior, where cheap emulations fall apart.
Film stock names (Kodak Portra, Fuji Velvia, Ilford HP5, etc.) are registered trademarks of their respective owners. ShotMatch is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Eastman Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford, or any film manufacturer. Our presets emulate the visual characteristics of these film stocks based on publicly available technical data.
How does multi-reference blending work?
Upload 2-4 reference images and blend their color grades together. Choose from uniform blending, or spatial modes like horizontal/vertical gradients. Costs 1 credit per blend.
What is LUT export?
Export your color grade as a .cube LUT file for use in professional software like DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut. This feature is available on Pro, Business, and Studio plans (2 credits per export).
How much does color analysis cost?
The Analyze feature shows your image's LAB statistics and dominant color palette for 1 credit. Use it to understand your images before applying color grades.
How does video color grading work?
Upload a short video clip (up to 15 seconds, 1080p max) and a reference image. ShotMatch will generate a 3D LUT from your chosen color matching method and apply it to every frame, ensuring perfectly consistent color grading with no flickering. Audio is preserved. Output is MP4 (H.264).
How much does video processing cost?
Video color grading costs 1 credits per second of video (e.g. a 10-second clip = 10 credits). Available on Pro, Business, and Studio plans. Supported input formats: MP4, MOV, and WebM (50 MB max).