Yes it's possible.

  1. Add an adjustment layer to an image, and select the mask thumbnail in the layers panel. It will be highlighted with a white outline showing that it is selected.

  2. Choose the gradient tool, set a black to white gradient from the drop down

  1. Click and drag on the main image window, and the gradient will be applied to the selected mask.

Note: you can also use this method to apply a gradient to any layer mask, not just adjustment layer masks. You can also paint with brushes directly on a layer mask to edit it, you aren't just limited to using the gradient tool. Painting in white makes the mask opaque, painting in black makes the mask transparent, painting in shades of grey makes the mask semi-transparent.

Answer from Billy Kerr on Stack Exchange
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Adobe
helpx.adobe.com › ph_fil › photoshop › how-to › blend-two-images-gradient.html
Blend two images with Gradient tool
December 28, 2022 - Choose the Radial style in the Options bar for the Gradient tool. With a layer mask selected, press D on the keyboard to set the Foreground color box to white and the Background color box to black, so the radial gradient will be white in the ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/photoshop › need help with adding a gradient mask to an image
r/photoshop on Reddit: need help with adding a gradient mask to an image
June 1, 2024 -

Hi folks, apoligize this is Inkscape specific, but i believe the mechanisms are the same. i am a dummy with image editing. I am having a big headache with this. Totally new to image editing.

I want to accomplish this: I want to edit a background image for my website. The original image is very bright, I want to make the left side of it darker (less brightness), and the right side stays the same brightness. So I can overlay white text on top of the image on the left half. So I want to add a gradient layer to my image.

I am just totally new to this, watched a bunch of youtube videos. This is where I am at so far:

I created a gradient layer, and selected both of that and the original image, and set mask. However, the end result is so opaque. What did I do wrong? How can I get what I actually wanted?

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Photoshop Elements & More
photoshopelementsandmore.com › photoshop elements & more › photoshop elements editor › adding a gradient to an existing layer mask
Adding A Gradient To an Existing Layer Mask | Photoshop Elements & More
I was watching the "Cosmic Portrait" tutorial by Panos with interest. I notice that at the 3 minute mark he adds successive gradient masks to the existing layer mask. https://www.panosfx.com/
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Photoshop Essentials
photoshopessentials.com › home › photoshop basics › gradients › blending photos with layer masks and gradients in photoshop
Blending Photos With Layer Masks And Gradients In Photoshop
April 13, 2019 - With the Gradient Tool in hand, ... do that, I'll open Photoshop's Gradient Picker by clicking on the small arrow directly to the right of the gradient preview bar in the Options Bar along the top of the screen:...
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/photoshop › gradient tool not working in layer mask
r/photoshop on Reddit: Gradient Tool not working in layer mask
July 11, 2024 -

Hello!

I was working on something and remembered I could use gradients in layer masks to make the fade off look really nice and smooth. However, when I am trying to do the gradient in the layer mask, absolutely nothing happens. I attached a video for reference. Am I doing something wrong? Help would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Video: https://imgur.com/a/EPwoRBr

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Adobe Support Community
community.adobe.com › home › app communities › photoshop ecosystem › questions › photoshop 2025 - gradient mask not working!
Photoshop 2025 - Gradient Mask Not Working! | Community
November 11, 2024 - Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 . ... there is a bug in the gradient tool in PS 2025 - when using it on a mask of a clipped adjustment when there is more than one adjustment layer it gives an error:
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PHLEARN
phlearn.com › tutorials › how to add a gradient in photoshop
How to Add a Gradient in Photoshop - PHLEARN
January 2, 2025 - 2. Set Blend Mode to Soft Light. 3. Add a layer mask and fill it with black to hide the gradient behind the subject. 4. Duplicate the gradient layer and adjust size and opacity. 5. Add another gradient to darken the image edges.
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YouTube
youtube.com › design made simple
Make A Transparent Gradient In Photoshop - YouTube
Of all the many things you can do in Photoshop, one useful technique that could be beneficial to know is creating transparent gradients where one end of the ...
Published   January 13, 2022
Views   190K
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YouTube
youtube.com › morgan burks
Using a Gradient Tool on a Layer Mask in Photoshop - YouTube
In this video I show you how to use the Gradient Tool on a Layer Mask to add the appearance of light into your image in Photoshop.
Published   February 25, 2014
Views   74K
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Adobe
adobe.com › learn › photoshop › web › layer-mask
How to gradually blend images with a layer mask
Sign into Adobe Creative Cloud to access your favorite Creative Cloud apps, services, file management, and more. Log in to start creating.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to make gradient mask in Photoshop to fade out picture ...
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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YouTube
youtube.com › linkedin learning
Correcting exposure with a gradient mask | Photoshop | lynda.com - YouTube
When you want to modify the lighting of one part of your image and not another, try using gradient masks. This tutorial shows how to even out the lighting of...
Published   July 19, 2014
Views   43K
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/clipstudio › how can i apply a gradient on a layer mask?
r/ClipStudio on Reddit: How can I apply a gradient on a layer mask?
July 4, 2023 -

Hi, I'm new to CSP (coming from Photoshop). CSP won't let me apply a gradient to a layer mask to make the layer gradient-transparent. Using the gradient tool on the layer make doesn't show any gradient. Is there a different way to do this, or am I missing a step or setting? Thank you in advance!
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Adobe
helpx.adobe.com › photoshop user guide › adjust color › apply a gradient fill
Apply gradient fills in Photoshop
October 27, 2025 - Learn how to use the Gradient tool in Adobe Photoshop to apply a gradient fill to your images or layers.
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Affinity
forum.affinity.serif.com › home › affinity support › support & questions › desktop questions (macos and windows) › pre-v2 archive of desktop questions (macos and windows) › adding multiple gradients to one layer mask
Adding Multiple Gradients to One Layer Mask - Pre-V2 Archive of Desktop Questions (macOS and Windows) - Affinity | Forum
January 25, 2023 - I was wondering if there was anyone to add several gradient masks to one layer mask? In Photoshop you are able to add several gradient masks to one layer so for instance, I want to fade out all four sides of an image, I can. Maybe I'm missing something in Designer and Photo but currently I have t...