Damien Symonds

This one, do you mean?

How important is the little missing piece at the top right corner?

Yes, but what type of layer would it be? Certainly not a Gradient Map one.

It makes absolutely no sense; and I think if you stopped to think about it you would see that. To what kind of layer will this C-shaped mask be applied?

What if their photo is portrait orientation?

Including the slight cut-out at the top right corner.

Please answer the question. How does this C-shape have broad relevance to people's photos?

And you really think that that mask shape will have relevance for people's photos?

You need a way to automate this C-shaped mask?

I'm still confused. Why are you applying a gradient map to the edges of a photo?

You keep saying "gradient" but your screenshots are of Gradient Map layers, which are a very different thing. So I need you to explain the situation further. Why are you using Gradient Map layers?

A little bit of motion blur there, but that's hard to avoid altogether with animals. I think this will be ok.

This is great.

Actually, I think you might have removed a bit too much colour noise. But yeah, Luminance noise needs a bit more removal. Focus will be fine.

Oh, I don't know about this one. If you're desperate you can use it, but it would be good to find a better one if you can.

Yeah, this'll be ok.

Pity you missed the dogs. Still, this will probably be ok.

This is totally fine. It'll sharpen up beautifully.

I think you might have to turn off Graphics Processor separately for ACR, in the "Camera Raw Preferences".

As long as you use layers, 50 is more than you'll ever need.

Now you've fixed those two things, make sure you restart the computer before editing again.

Oh, it's a bloody issue.

Yeah, that's not a bad idea I guess. Make sure you have satisfied yourself with the "How aggressively" link (above) before you post, though.

Holy shit!!!!!!!!!! 548 History states??? Are you insane??? Put that back to 50 at most. Also, turn off "Use Graphics Processor".

(I preface this by saying I have no idea what I'm talking about ...) Could you show us a screenshot of Photoshop's Performance preferences?