Question about Additional Layers

Question

I have been experimenting and have become successful in creating a blurred background.  With my limited knowledge of layers, I would like to know what my next step would be if I want to add either some texture or lighting effects..  I have the original picture, a duplicate layer, I created a gaussian blur, I then created a levels adjustment layer - filled it with black, I then dragged the adjustment layer in between the original and duplicate, then I created a clipping mask with the background layer, I selected the adjustment layer and used a "white" brush to wash away the blur around the faces on the picture.
I now want to add some texture and lighting effects. What should I do next ? Should I create another layer or use one of the ones I already have?

Answer 1

I take it you have the image the way you want it but now want to apply effects to the completed image. You could do this a couple of ways.
Method 1.
One would be to make a composite layer. Create a blank layer over your image, then press these four keys at the same time...ctrl + shift + alt + E. (On a mac, the keys are cmd + shift + opt + E.) This will make a composite layer while retaining the separate layers in case you want to go back and change something.
I would recommending duplicating the composite layer you created (ctrl + J on PC; cmd + J on mac). Apply the desired filter  to this duplicate. By doing it this way, you can use the layer's opacity to control the strength of the filter and/or change the filtered layer's blend mode.
Method 2.
Alternately, you could make a duplicate of the image...just in case you want to go back and change something later. I think in Elements, it'll be Image<Duplicate. This will make a new file of the image you created. Flatten this duplicate image. I think in Elements, the command is Layers<Flatten Image.
As with method 1, I would recommend making a copy of your composite...in this case the layer you've flattened...so you can use opacity to control the filters strength or even change the filtered layer's blend mode.
I would probably try using the texture filter before using lighting effects assuming you want the lighting effects to interact with the texture.