1: when working on a layer, if you’re not sure on the outcome of what it might end up like whilst experimenting, duplicate that layer 1st and work on the duplicate that way if it all goes wrong for that layer, delete it, you still got the previous one
2: what I do is at the bottom of my layer list, I create a group called originals, that I move a layer to if I think I need to keep it, then click on the eye icon so none of them are visible
When I need to work on something I then duplicate that original layer and move it up to make it visible and try things on that
3: layer masking, can be brilliant, and learn masking
4: smart objects, convert a layer to a smart objects, that way any filters and processes that you apply can be adjusted if needed
5: don’t do destructive work. E.g. if working on a layer and not using it as a smart object or using masking, applying filters might not be able to be “undone” because you directly “applied” a style/effect/filter
6: learn whilst “drawing” and masking using the X key, e.g. when using masking, look at the brush colours, “white brings it in, black removes”, that can be soo important when masking, x key swaps them so you can add, and take away quickly
7: brush “sensitivity”, sometimes lowering the brush pressure whilst drawing could help when say e.g. smoothing and edge
8: watch piximperfect on youtube, superb teacher by the name of Unmesh Dinda
9: keep creating, the more you experiment the more you learn
10: can't think of anything else, just needed to add 10
