See if this makes any sense.
Here is a photo that I would like to make some changes on. Notice I have made some arrows to show the Spider web I want to remove.
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This is the layers Panel showing where I created the six arrow shape layers. They're in the way so let's group them.
Highlight the arrow layers...............
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............and hit cmd/cntrl + G. I then renamed the group.
Next I copied the original layer (Original copy 1) and then turned off the original and arrow group layers.
I also added a Hue & Sat and Curves adjustment layer.
This is also the layer I used the Patch Tool and the Spot Healing brush Tool to remove the Spiders web!!!!!
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Ok.............lets say I want to make a copy of these layers for some reason.
Highlight the layers you wish to copy (shift + click or cmd +click)............
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...Command/control + J to copy then Command/Control + E to merge.........
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....I then named the merged copy Layer X. Layer X is now fixed.
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Lets group the the adjusted layers.........
Highlight them...
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Hit Command/Control + G and rename Adjustment Group.
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As I stated earlier, Layer X is now fixed. But lets say you want to use the Lasso Tool and Content Aware Fill to remove an object.
Highlight Layer X .........
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Select your Lasso Tool, outline the object, go to EDIT > SELECT CONTENT AWARE and hit OK.
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My final thought is......... if you want to make changes to the image and still have the ability to use your adjustment layers, make them on the Original Copy 1 layer!
You can also make a copy of the Original Copy 1 after each state change to save....just in case.
