Why would you do this? You can't create data that isn't in the original in the first place and in the second place you can use Gaussian Blur on a layer.

Yes there is a retouching method that uses "so called" high frequency and low frequency layers. There is a great discussion in the retouching section on a site called Model Mayhem. Some pretty clever retouchers hang out there. You can use this effect to smooth skin for portraits, and you can vary the smooting from just a small amount to some of the images used in makeup advertising where the model has a perfect yet sort of plastic looking skin. I use this technique now and again working on portrait subjects that have less than perfect skin.

Basically you make two copies of your opening layer, name the first layer "Low Frequency" and the second layer "High Frequency".

Select the Low Frequency Layer and apply a small amount of Gaussian Blur around 2.9 is a good starting point

Now go to the High Frequency Layer and go to Image and select apply image. In the drop down select your low frequency layer and check the invert box and set the blending mode to add with a scale of 2 offset 0 and apply then change the Layer Mode to Linear Light. You now have two retouch layers you can work on and you still maintain some texture in the skin.

To finish off, select the Low Frequency Layer and duplicate and name as smooth skin. Apply a blur, surface blur works best with a starting point of Radius = 7 and Threshold = 6 apply and then create a black mask, Now painting with white over selected parts of the image will smooth out the skin.

Experiment with the settings to get the effect you are looking for. Also, when cloning and healing on the high and low frequency layers look to see what is effected which will give you a better idea on the seperation technique.

Here is a quick example of this technique

The Before Image

The After Image

Mike

Have you tried this technique or just making an observation?

There are many talented retouchers who use this technique and there are many articles and demonstrations out there

Forgive me not answereing the question: I only did a quick check to see if the Apply Image result could be achieved non-destructively.

And I usually use a different approach with skin retouching.

Yahor, to be honest I have never tried nor delved too deeply into this technique. I tried it on some portraits and it worked well for me. There is a massive discussion on this technique here http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=439098 you might want to check this out and if you are a member you could post your questions here.

Cheers

Mike

Actually I would say the technique I described (lifted from the link I provided) is very much a non-destructive approach. None of the original pixels are touched as the retouching and changes are done on the high and low pass layers - well that is my description of non-destructive editing. But then again who does not work on a copy of a file - that lesson can be discovered the hard way........

I also agree with Noel's comment, what works for one person may not work or be acceptable to others - who cares if the end result is achieved.

But this is what makes the Internet and forums like this an exciting place;  there are soo many experts out there with their I am the only one that is right perspective and just provide negative comment rather than constructive feedback.

Mike