Digital BW, The Print

> I use both Overlay and Soft Light blend modes, experimenting with
> each at various levels of opacity.
Sometimes, again image dependant, I'll add a multiply curve layer, using the
inverse of the mask I created for the softlight/overlay or screen layer.
Softening the mask will help with the transition.

>  I typically use the eraser to go
> back to the original image in places where the blend mode goes too
> far, one way or another.
I don't use the eraser. If you give your adjustment layer a mask, then paint
the areas out on the mask, then you can go back and edit. Same holds for
your background but, erasing or masking your background with an overlay
blend overtop leaves nothing for the pixels to react to underneath, can have
good effects for art if you have various images underneath that though. Do
you mean you erase your overlay/softlight layer?

>   I find that I often need a curves layer
> after the first print to bring up the contrast or some part of the
> tonal range.  One question -- is reducing the file size the only
> reason to use a blank adjustment layer rather than copying the
> background?  
Yes. This goes to my commercial image files where the can reach over 1.5
GIG's (8.5 x 11 output) prior to flattening. Also, I always save layered
files and their edits, this saves space.  ...and if you are like me after
obsessing over some small detail you end up liking a previous version days
later.

>I should add that I also use a soft light medium gray
> layer to burn and dodge -- by varying the opacity of the brush you
> have very fine control over the process.

Yes.  If I do this I will fill a layer with gray, and then paint on a mask
again. Screen and Multiply work well for burn and dodge. You might like to
play with that if you haven't already.

Carolyn...