More mask layer questions....ugh

[rxdan]

I have PSE2 with Hidden Power. In my layers box I have three layers, a background and two mask layers above it. One mask layer is masking off the island/sky, the other the foreground. I am trying to now apply a curve correction that will just affect one part and do not seem to be able to do it. When I use the Hidden Power to bring up the curve box when I have one of the mask layers as the active layer, the only time I can see any effect from my curve correction is if I do not group it with previous layers, but this affects the whole picture. When I select the mask layer, bring up the curve and group it with previous layers, nothing happens to any part of my picture when I adjust the curve.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong or not doing to have my curve correction only affect one part? I do not think I have ever felt this stupid.

Thanks,

Dan