The Insideout Artist- Jeni Reeves

Today we had a discussion as to how advantageous it is to use layers when editing and fixing images. I am posting here what I stated in class:
"Some advantages of creating a separate layer from an existing layer style are to preserve the original image. If you don't preserve it and make an error, you could lose the original entirely. For example the error could be using the 'Save' option instead of 'Save As' or 'Save for Web.' Another advantage would be if you were intending on only making minor adjustments and you didn't want to change the data of the original layer. It gives you an opportunity to make a series of changes without starting over each time you find an edit that is perfect. Extra layers are good for when you are point editing. They allow you the opportunity to edit in masks or just editing foregrounds, subjects and/ or background separately."

Next we went on to what was wrong with the image posted and how we would fix it. I failed to do the first part at first but here is what I think is wrong with the image:
-Severe Blemishes
-Faded
-Tears
-Tonal Range
-Unfocused (Needs to be Sharpened)
-The brown on the image from age of photo. Burns?

This is how I think it should be fixed:
As for this photo, I would start by duplicating the layer and applying the brightness/contrast to the new layer. Then I would use the shortcut CTRL + ALT+ SHIFT + E to copy my selected layers as duplicate copy with ALL things merged together. I would then reduplicate that new merged layer and use the Clone tool to get rid of the blemishes and tears. After that, I would make that all old layer were not selected, duplicate the Cloning layer for a Scratch and Dust filter layer. I would range it so that all dust issues blurred out. Then I would duplicate the filter layer making it into a Curves layer then duplicating it and applying some levels. Finally I would almost finish this editing by duplicating the layer again for option to use the High Pass filter which will sharpen the image without giving the graininess. Lastly, I would use the shortcut CTRL + ALT+ SHIFT + E to merge these new layers that I created for the clone, filter, curves, levels, and high pass into one merges layer and label it healing. I then take the healing spot brush to the minor blemishes that reemerged in the High Pass filter. Then I will Duplicate one LAST time and label it final to so my final result easily.