How to desaturate only shadows?

Hi Everyone

I'm just wondering it it's possible to desaturate certain areas of an image, either highlights, mid tones or shadows.

What I'm looking to is to selectively desaturate (not completely) the shadows within an image and not based on any particular colour etc.

Anyone have any ideas how to do such a thing?

Thanks

Edit:

I'm using photoshop

I'd guess that the most efficient way is to use luminosity masks. There were several threads recently with lots of details on how to create and use luminosity masks. A search of this forum should turn them up.

It would help if we knew what software you have

Assuming you have Photoshop, the Blend If sliders are a great option.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1065080

Sponge tool, Assuming you are using Photoshop.

Damo77 wrote in post #12759255
Assuming you have Photoshop, the Blend If sliders are a great option.

Hi Damo77

Thanks for your suggestion, and I'm using photoshop btw.
I'v just tried 'blend if' but the edges of the effect seem very hard instead of feathered which look unnatural?

rhys216 wrote in post #12759361
Hi Damo77

Thanks for your suggestion, and I'm using photoshop btw.
I'v just tried 'blend if' but the edges of the effect seem very hard instead of feathered which look unnatural?

Split the sliders holding down the Alt key and it will make the blending smoother.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=6BfQu8QVplw

Thanks for your help folks, found the answer.

Select>Color Range Shadows, new Hue Saturation layer.

tkerr wrote in post #12759379
Split the sliders holding down the Alt key and it will make the blending smoother.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=6BfQu8QVplw

Thanks, that works well also.

Below was the 'look' I was going for.

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