[Rob Barron]

The problem with this 'dreamy effect' is that it is exactly the plastic effect I try to avoid as it really does look artificial, like you are trying to hide something. I like Gary's method of smoothing out blemishes but keeping the natural look at the same time.

Skip, when I do an image that I might want to go back to, I always save a psd version but I make a flattened version as well. The simplest way is this:

Save as a psd and do all your work. When finished, save.
Now just 'Save as' a jpeg. This will save a flattened version as a .jpg file without touching the .psd file at all. Indeed, you won't even see the jpeg file unless you open it. It will just leave the psd file opened and the jpg file stored wherever you saved it.

So you get two pictures for the price of one and all your layers and things neatly stored away for future changes.

I am not sure what you mean about the layers not showing the changes. I can only assume that you have got a layer underneath a full layer and have been working on that so you won't see the changes unless you hide the layers above by clicking on the eye next to those layers.

If you work using layer masks, you can always go back and change those adjustments as much as you want but if you have a layer above them, you won't see those adjustments until that layer is turned off. Basically the way to think of layers is like overhead projector transparencies. If you had lots of acetates with little pictures on, when you stack the acetates together, the pictures will all show as one picture on the screen. However, if you put a single black acetate on top, you won't see anything that is underneath.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,
Rob