How can I sharpen an image after applying a layer mask?

H

HrH_2002

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Name
Patrick
Edit My Images
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I'm using a black inverted layer mask and the Gaussian Blur Filter to smooth out the skin on the face of a subject in old Black and White photos. It's a subtle effect but looks good.

My problem is that once I've applied this layer mask, I cant sharpen up the image using the high pass filter. What would be the best way to sharpen up the image?

These are the steps taken to smooth the skin:

Filter > Gaussian Blur (to blur out the subjects skin) > Add layer mask > Invert the layer mask from white to black > switch the foreground to white > choose the brush tool, Paint in the Face (blurring out the skin) > go to filter > Gaussian blur> bring the blur down to soften the mask > lower the opacity to 48%

It worked really well on the skin of the Face when bringing down the opacity to 48% but I'm still keen to bring out the facial features but more importantly sharpen up the rest of the image. Whats the best way to do that?
 
Duplicate layer
Right (I think, use a pen so am never sure) click on the mask and select Apply layer mask then use this for your sharpening layer.

Ideally if you have a copy of the original then use that instead and mask in/out as required. Sometimes you can use a curves layer instead of sharpening
 
My way is make sure your on the top layer, hold down SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+E, this creates a new merged layer at the top of the layer stack (leavng the other layers untouched) sharpen the top merged layer and job done.
 
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