Technique 50: Using Layer Masks to Create Fade Ins and Outs
Using layer masks
Applying gradients to layer masks
Using the Opacity or Fill slider on the Layers palette can make an entire layer translucent or even invisible. But, how do you make only part of a layer fade out? By using layer masks, of course!
This technique is a quick study in adding gradients to layer masks to create fade outs (or fade ins depending on how you look at it). The outlined steps are really simple, so open an image and give this a go. After you get the hang of it, I guarantee that you can find interesting ways to employ this method in your images.