Here's a technique I use to quickly goose the appeal of a shot:

• Flatten the image, then duplicate the Background layer 3 times.
• Select "Screen" as the blending mode for the top layer.
• Select "Multiply" as the blending mode for the next layer.
• Turn off the Background layer, then merge the 3 new layers together.
• Turn on the Background layer, then adjust the top layer's opacity so that highlights are slightly blown or not blown at all - whichever looks best to you.
• Flatten the image.

The overall effect is that the image becomes brighter and more saturated. I sometimes vary the technique by using "Multiply" on top of "Screen" to darken the image, and/or by setting the blending mode of the merged layer to "Overlay".

Give it a try!

I just tried this, and it adds a bit of depth and saturation.  However, when I examined the image at 100%, I found that the technique also enhanced chroma noise--pretty noticeably in the shadows.  Does this happen to you?  If so, what do you do about the noise?

Hmmm, I've never noticed a noise problem. Maybe it's because I shoot to avoid noise (by overexposing as much as possible). Perhaps it helps that I use a Noise Ninja technique before using this technique. You probably do these things, too, so your guess is as good as mine. I also use DxO Optics, which helps keep things pretty clean.

The problem I commonly have is with banding - particularly in skies if I've significantly adjusted the levels and/or curves before doing this. I typically use this technique when the image is pretty good right out of the camera, and just needs a little jazz.

I think I found my problem.  The first image I tried this with had heavy shadows--notorious for noise, of course.  It was also a jpeg image.  So, I tried using a different image--a bright landscape in TIFF format.  Much better--I have to say, I like the effect.  Thanks for the idea.

As to your banding problem, I think I know how to cure it.  It sounds like you're shooting JPEG and then manipulating the image.  The problem with this is that JPEGs are 8-bit images and really prone to banding if you have to do much manipulation. Try this:  shoot RAW and convert to TIFF 16 bit.  Then play with the file.  That should cure the banding.

Cheers.

Cool -- really helps add something extra to technically fine photos but ones that lack sizzle.  Used it tonight on some shots that I took a while ago but didn't quite know what to do with them.  I'll add a link when I finally upload them and they get accepted (somewhere I hope).  Either way- sure appreciate you taking the time to share -- Thanks.

Here's a tutorial I made a while ago that may be of some help
http://www.microstockpix.com/article2.pdf

Yes I am a fan of "rjmiz" tutorials and I use that one often.

By the way, that microstockpix is a great site.

@miz - that's so simple and very impactful - I tried it on one of the shots you mention in your article - the ones where the color you experience doesn't transfer as you'd like to the image - worked well and in different ways that the first tutorial -- putting both in my "how to" file -- thanks 

I use local contrast to give images "pop"

Unsharp mask-amount 5-20
                        radius  30-100
                        Threshold 0
You can repeat this over and over and get almost up to Dave Hill effect, that he gets, by using Lucis Art "wyethe" filters

How can I get an invitation to join microstockpix? I tried to register but it says that it is by invitation only.