Layer Mask Gradient in Photoshop

By Linda Sattgast

A layer mask by itself is pretty amazing, but when you add a gradient, it gets even better. In this tutorial we’ll use a gradient mask with a photo to create a fun card!

Choose a Color to Match your Photo

• Open a photo that has some empty space on one side.
• Press Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) to duplicate the photo layer.
• In the Layers panel, click on the Background layer.
• To choose a color that goes with your photo, click on the Foreground Color Chip to get the Color Picker. Click with your cursor on a color from your photo, or choose a new color from the Color Picker. Click OK.
• In the Menu Bar, choose Edit > Fill. When the dialog box comes up, open the Contents menu and choose Foreground Color. The Blending Mode should be Normal and the Opacity 100%. Click OK. You won’t see the color because it’s hidden by your duplicate photo layer.

Create a Mask

• In the Layers panel, click on the top photo layer to make it the active layer.
• Click on the Add Layer Mask icon to add a white layer mask to the photo layer.

Set the Gradient Options

• Get the Gradient tool.
• In the Options Bar, open the Gradient Preset Picker and double click on the Foreground to Background thumbnail. If you don’t see this thumbnail, click on the icon in the upper right corner to open the flyout menu and choose Reset Gradients.
• Close the Gradient Picker.
• In the Options Bar, select the first icon for Linear Gradient. The Mode should be Normal and the Opacity 100%. Don’t check Reverse, but do check Dither and Transparency.

Blend the Color with your Photo

• Look at the Color Chips and make sure the Foreground Color is white. If it isn’t, press the letter D to reset the Color Chips to white over black, which is the default for layer masks.
• On your photo, click where you want the photo to start fading, press the Shift key, and drag toward the side where you want to hide the photo. In my case, I clicked in the center of the photo and dragged half way to the left. Adding the Shift key keeps your gradient line straight. You can draw the gradient line as many times as you need to get it just right.
• When you let go of the mouse, part of the photo will disappear.

Optional: Adjust the Color if Necessary

• In the Layers panel, click on the color layer.
• In the Menu Bar choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue Saturation.
• Click the Colorize box and adjust the sliders until you find a color that suits you.
• Add some type to your photo and you’re ready to send it to someone special!

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