Need Some Help

[brwneyes16]

Hi. I'm new here and have been lurking for the past several days and have already learned so much. I am hoping that someone out there can help me with this most annoying problem.

I recently bought Elements 4.0 and have loved it so far. ;) I also bought the book the Photoshop Elements 3 book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby because I figured the two versions wouldn't be that different. So far, things have worked out great. There are minimal changes. That was until now.

I was trying to do a photo montage and all was going well and it worked once but I undid what I did to adjust the merged picture and now it doesn't work. This is what happens: When I use the gradient tool and pick the Foreground to Transparent gradient and use it on the base picture for the merged picture to show, the whole base picture goes dark on the opposite end from the merged picture. The directions say to pick the letter D to turn the foreground color to black, so I don't think that's it. Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is so frustrating.:mad:

Dianna

[GaryK]

Hi Dianna

Welcome to the forums.

Just a thought (I don't have the tut in front of me right now) when you say it goes dark on the opposite end I am guessing you mean the left side is dark as opposed to the right side (or the other way around). If that is the case, then you need to drag the gradiant starting at the other side of the photo. That should give you the right look.

Hope this helps.

[brwneyes16]

:) Thank you so much Gary. I think I figured it out. I was dragging from top to bottom. I just tried it from side to center and it appears to be working. Thank you! I knew it had to be something simple. Thanks.

Dianna:) :) :)

[kayser]

(And I have the PSE4 book for PSE4).
I had my gradient tool set to reverse. When I changed it to transparency, this technique worked.

Now I can go to bed not so frustrated!

[Daviskw]

Hello Dianna

By undoing a step sometimes Elements moves its layer focus to the layer above. Otherwise you should have the following;

1.) The base photo for the montage. The base layer

2.) The picture you are going to add. Above the base Layer

3). A blank layer inserted between the two layers.

You should then have clicked on the top or photo to add layer. Then you should have pressed CrtG to group the blank layer and the to add photo.

Now this is important, be sure you have the blank layer active. If not click on it.

Now when you apply your black to transparent gradient where the black is your added photo will show thru.

The big mistake is not having the blank and photo to add layer grouped or not having the blank layer active when applying the gradient. Or not appling the gradient in the proper direction

Let me know if this helps

Butch

[Wendy]

Hi Dianna ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

Sounds like you are really enjoying using Elements ....


Wendy

[brwneyes16]

Let me know if this helps

Butch

Thank's Butch for your help. My mistake was dragging the tool the wrong way. I have another problem with another method, but I'll post that later when I'm at home. Don't have my fingers on the problem at the moment. You guys are all so helpful! I'll try not to take advantage.

Di :D

[brwneyes16]

Hi Dianna ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

Sounds like you are really enjoying using Elements ....


Wendy

Thank's Wendy. I've been lurking for a few days and notice that you are very helpful! I am enjoying Elements. Wish I had more time and didn't have a real job :mad:

Di

[Wendy]

Hi Di ...

Oh that is the trouble with work ... it really does get in the way of fun :)


Wendy