Strong field quantum control using shaped intense femtosecond laser pulses is investigated. The physical mechanism relies on selective population of dressed states (SPODS). With time resolved photoelectron spectroscopy the ultrafast dressed state population dynamics during the ionization of potassium atoms is directly observed. High selectivity of the dressed state population and tunability of the dressed state energies is demonstrated experimentally. Wave packet simulations on a diatomic model molecule confirm that SPODS is also applicable to molecules. We conclude that SPODS with simple ultrashort optimal pulse shapes is suitable for robust laser control of chemical reactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.