Rectangular Marquee Probs

I am trying to add a graduated filter look in Elements 8 by selecting the top portion of a pic using the rectangular marquee tool. I can then use this as a mask to change the exposure etc

The problem is that I want to feather the bottom of the selection so I get a gradual fade. When I increase the feather of the selection all 4 sides so the corners get rounded off as well

Its driving me mad!!!

Any ideas how I get the top part selected and then only feather the bottom part??

I hope someone can help

This is the case using the full version as well. I think you will need to use a large, soft eraser and feather one edge that way.

There are a couple of much better ways to simulate an NDGrad filter in Elements. Please see my posts in this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1011718

Probably not the clearest example of writing as I kept thinking of more things to add, but perhaps it will be clear. Basically you use a new layer set to Overlay or Soft Light blend mode and apply a gradient to that.

I don't understand. What does the rectangular marquee tool have to do with this?????

Just change your exposure or whatever using the appropriate adjustment layer, then use the Gradient tool to draw a gradient on the layer mask.

By the way, this is just an extension of the technique of using an adjustment layer (EDIT: not an adjustment layer, just a new blank layer) to dodge and burn. See also: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1012351

I am sure I am being pretty thick here, I can't see how to "drag" the gradient tool

big_g wrote in post #12064557
Pretty sure this is impossible in Elements as there are no layer masks

I was under the impression that this was added in Elements 9.

Regardless, there are a couple ways of getting layer masks in Elements: there is a plug-in called, I believe, Elements+ which provides masks, and then there is the "old faithful" way: you add a blank layer and place it under the layer you want to mask. Then you select the upper layer to make it the active one and then Ctl-click the lower layer and then you Group the two. The lower layer becomes a mask. You erase the foreground of the mask layer to "reveal" the upper layer.

I'm going from memory here, 'cause it's been a few years, but I believe that sums it up pretty well.

tonylong wrote in post #12064662
Pretty sure this is impossible in Elements as there are no layer masks

I was under the impression that this was added in Elements 9.

....

I don't think either technique that I described uses layer masks, but instead use either an adjustment layer, or a new blank layer. The OP in the thread I linked to was trying (incorrectly) to use a layer mask.

By the way, the technique that I described came from Scott Kelby's Elements 8 book.

big_g wrote in post #12064557
I am sure I am being pretty thick here, I can't see how to "drag" the gradient tool

Click somewhere on the layer (top, for example), hold down the mouse button, drag (move to another location, release mouse button.

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big_g wrote in post #12064389
The problem is that I want to feather the bottom of the selection so I get a gradual fade. When I increase the feather of the selection all 4 sides so the corners get rounded off as well

Use the rectangular marquee tool so the mask looks like this:

Rimmer wrote in post #12064720
I don't think either technique that I described uses layer masks, but instead use either an adjustment layer, or a new blank layer. The OP in the thread I linked to was trying (incorrectly) to use a layer mask.

By the way, the technique that I described came from Scott Kelby's Elements 8 book.

The Kelby book should be a must have and read by all Elements users!