Merging layers for level adjustment

It is a common practice to use levels to ajust the highlight and shadow detials of a picture. Here I have tried an option of merging layers to adust the levels. Have look.

Original
Ajusted picture

Original

Adjusted picture

Original

Adjusted picture

I have excessively ajusted the high light to the extend of burns. It is upto each one to decide what he finally expect.

Method

• Make a copy of the original.
• Adjust the high light ...may be resulting in over exposure to get the details of shadow areas.
• Add a layer mask ...Alt+ click on the layer mask box
• Use the brush tool and mask out till you get the final picture to your expectation
  
  Thanks to Tom and Anoop for sending the photos