Choose Your Image: Select a photo with distinct colors that you want to emphasize against a black and white or desaturated background.
Duplicate the Layer: Open the image in your preferred photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). Duplicate the background layer to work on a separate layer while keeping the original intact.
Desaturate the Image (Optional): If you plan to convert most of the image to black and white, desaturate the duplicate layer using the desaturation or grayscale option.
Create a Layer Mask:
Add a layer mask to the duplicate layer. This mask will allow you to reveal the colored areas of the original image selectively.
Choose the Selection Tool:
Use a selection tool (such as the Magic Wand, Quick Selection, or Pen tool) to select the areas you want to retain in color.
Refine the Selection:
After making a basic selection, use tools like the Refine Edge or Mask Edge to fine-tune the selection's edges. This helps prevent color "bleeding" into the desaturated areas.
Invert the Selection:
Invert the selection to isolate the areas you want to keep in color. This will allow you to apply adjustments to these areas only.
Apply Hue/Saturation Adjustment:
Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to the top of the layers panel.
Adjust the sliders to enhance or modify the colors you want to retain. You can increase saturation or adjust hue to change the selected colors.
Mask the Adjustment Layer:
Apply the adjustment only to the colored areas by using the layer mask of the adjustment layer.
Paint with a black brush on the mask to conceal the adjustment where you want the image to remain desaturated.
Refine and Adjust:
Zoom in and carefully refine the mask and adjustment to achieve a seamless blend between color and black and white or desaturated areas.
Final Touches:
Adjust the overall image settings (contrast, brightness, etc.) to ensure a balanced look.
Save and Export: Once you're satisfied with the selective color effect, save the final image in your preferred format.
Creating a selective color effect requires attention to detail and precision in masking and adjustment. Experiment with different color combinations and levels of saturation to achieve the desired visual impact in your image