Selective Color Desaturation

Contrast and color are important aspects of any photograph and I always struggle to find the right mix that produces depth and helps create an interesting image.  One method which mixes both color and contrast manipulation is selective desaturation.  This method relies on the removal of specific colors during the post production process either by painting out color in certain areas or the wholesale removal of certain colors from the photograph.  By selectively removing individual colors from the image a composite of Black & White and color is created.   Below are 3 images, the first is what came out of the camera.  The second is with the mountains, clouds, and sky desaturated.  While the third is one in which the foreground appears desaturated while the mountains, sky, and clouds retain their color.  This simple technique can add a great deal to an image and help enhance specific aspects of an image.

Full color image

Sky and mountains desaturated

Foreground desaturated