Max, you clearly don't get the hint do you. This was a layer masking tutorial. I have been using Photoshop for 10+ years and know how to use the curve tool.
How I processed those layers is inconsequential. The tutorial is about simple and accurate layer masking from selections.
Aside from this, your result is hurried, lacks texture and, for my own needs from this image, inferior. Our own likes are subjective and you are entitled to prefer a different end result of course. Again, aside from look, this technique would not print well. Brush masking can show up a major edit in a quality print.
Mods, if my tutorial on layer masking is not up to scratch, I'll request this thread be removed. It is of no consequence to me, I simply like to 'give back' too.
I can handle criticism fine, but why critique as aspect which is tangential from the tutorial?
So, Max, please tell me my layer masking is not helpful or inaccurate, otherwise STFU.
Michael