Using one layer to edit another

[davido15347952]

I thought I was reasonably competent, but am suffering a mental block...

I have a long exposure night time image of a cityscape with unwanted elements of the framework of a crane near one edge in the foreground. I will need to use both clone stamp and content-aware fill tools. However, the original obviously has very dark areas which make it almost impossible to accurately work with.

What I want to do is add a duplicate layer on which I can significantly increase the exposure (with curves or levels). I then want to go ahead and edit that lighter layer so that the effects are duplicated in the darker layer below. I assumed that it was as simple as switching clone stamp to "current layer and layer below" but this does not work.

Sorry if I'm being dumb, but would appreciate any help

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves 

Then you can work on a (new) Layer below that with the Clone Stamp Tool set to »Current & Below«. 

[davido15347952]

I knew I was being dumb.... Thanks very much for that. Resolved.

[HeatherC777]

If you do not want to keep the lighter exposure, one way could also be to right click on a second layer, click on [Blending Options], set [Blend Mode] to screen (or an option you prefer), make the changes with the clone stamp and other tools, set the [Blend Mode] back to normal. Then you can either flatten or leave it in layers for what you need. I apologize if you really need curves; I have not worked with curves much. 

[davido15347952]

Thank you for that. Curves was a bit of a red herring. I just wanted to use any old method to raise the exposure so that I could more easily see the unwanted elements to edit them in the original

[Lumigraphics]

I find that Levels works better than Curves for this. Drag the white slider way to the left, that will compress the dynamic range (increase contrast) and lighten up dark areas. Do your edits then simply delete the adjustment layer when finished.