[Tamlin]

I think I understand what you're trying to do - you want to adjust the colour balance on Layer 2 (the white blobs) without affecting the colour balance of Layer 1, right?

OK: first, I ungrouped and unlinked your Color Balance layer and Layer 2, because you don't need them grouped or linked for this.

Step 2: Ctrl+click on the Layer 2 thumbnail in the Layers palette. This makes a selection round all the white blobs.

Step 3: With the selection still active, click the Color Balance layer to make it the active layer.

Step 4: Click on the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers palette to add a layer mask to your Color Balance layer, based on the selection you made from Layer 2.

Now you can adjust the colour balance of Layer 2 without affecting Layer 1.

In case this isn't clear, I've attached a copy of your file with the above changes.


If I've got this completely wrong, I apologize - just ignore me.