need help with ps elements 9 gradient

im tryin to use the gradient in pse9 to darken my sky and lighten towaards the horizon. So i would add layer mask , get tool, pull down a line and it would show up as checkered black and white...what am i doin wrong???? i just want a gradient mask layer

It sounds like you're adding a layer mask to the photo layer. The gradient mask needs to be applied to whatever layer is performing the sky-darkening (eg a multiply layer or whatever).

To get that effect you don't want to use the Gradient Tool, you want to add a Gradient Adjustment Layer. Make sure the gradient is set to Black-to-Transparent and you will probably have to select the Reverse check box if you want to darken the top of the image. After applying the layer switch the blend mode to Overlay or (probably better) Soft Light. Finally, click on the gradient box to the right of the word "Gradient:" in the Gradient Fill dialog box, then grab the right hand Opacity Stop in the new dialog box and move it to the left to control how far the gradient goes down. Adjust the opacity of the layer as needed to control the effect.

This is fairly non-intuitive -- hope you can make sense out if this explanation.

See attached for clarification. Also, note that you won't be able to change Blend Mode or Opacity of the adjustment layer until you have dismissed these dialog boxes (not obvious from the order that I wrote in the earlier post).

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Sorry for posting again, but I just realized that you can use the Gradient Tool, and it may be easier.

Put a new layer on top and set it to Soft Light, fill with 50% gray. Now, drag the Gradient Tool over it as desired. Adjust layer opacity as needed.

The problem you were having at first is applying the gradient to the mask on the image layer. Every place that the gradient was black you masked out the image so that it became transparent and the "checkerboard" showed through.

Gosh, that was easy! (And essentially what Damo77 was saying -- just took a while to sink in.)

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lets say i just wanna darken the blue sky gradually, how do you keep the clouds un touched and white

Add a Hue/Saturation layer, switch it from Master to Blues, click on the leftmost eyedropper, sample the blue sky, then increase the saturation slider. If there are several blue tones, use the + and - eyedroppers as needed to add/subtract tones.

(Tip: it really doesn't matter what color you select in place of Master, once you use the eyedropper it will change to the appropriate range.)

Rimmer wrote in post #11997603
Add a Hue/Saturation layer, switch it from Master to Blues, click on the leftmost eyedropper, sample the blue sky, then increase the saturation slider. If there are several blue tones, use the + and - eyedroppers as needed to add/subtract tones.

(Tip: it really doesn't matter what color you select in place of Master, once you use the eyedropper it will change to the appropriate range.)

thanks ..it worked good...Ill figure this out one day

mosteller wrote in post #11997757
thanks ..it worked good...Ill figure this out one day

You can also try the smart brush and select the bluer sky option. Afterwards you can even adjust the colors of the new layer for some nice effects.