Adjustment gradients

I use Photoshop CS on a G4 Mac ((PPC) with OS X 10.4.11.
I have been trying to apply adjustments in a graduated way across some images. I have done this before, but now either I have forgotten something or something has gone wrong.
I create an adjustment layer (say the levels one), set the adjustment to a high value appropriate to the part of the image most in need of adjustment, then paint its associated mask with black. This blocks off the adjustment right across the image. Then I choose the gradient tool, select the appropriate type of gradient (say, the linear one) and drag from (say) the top to the bottom. This should restore the adjustment, graduated from top to bottom. But what is actually happening is that as soon as I drag (even if only across a small part of the image), the adjustment vanishes altogether across the whole image and leaves the image looking as it does in the base layer.
I have checked that the beginning and end of the gradient are set to appropriate values and positions; at least, I think I have done that correctly. So I wonder if anyone can divine what I am doing wrong or what is going wrong? Many thanks in anticipation of any suggestions.

Option click on your mask so you can see what it looks like whiel working on it.
Apply your gradient, the mask should look like your gradient.
Make sure your blending mode is set to normal, and that your gradient is not set to be foreground to background.
Option click on the mask to get back out of working and previewing the mask at the same time.

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Adjusting Gradient Color's GREYED Out

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Zeno Thanks for your answer. It lead me to more investigation. I suspect that my question was too broad.
Your links pointed me to the C4 online manual. As I am using CS3 I went looking for the CS3 manual. Both the CS3 & CS4 user manuals can be downloaded in PDF format or viewed on line Following is the online and PDF links:
http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/10.0/photoshop_cs3_help.pdf
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/11.0/photoshop_cs4_help.pdf
http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/10.0
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/11.0/
In the more like section off to the rignt side I found the following link to a site which talke about using Gradients on text which I found helpful
http://www.adobetutorialz.com/articles/65/1/Graffiti-Text
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Hi!
The new gradient tool Ai CS4 is finally well done. Barvo! 14 edition...
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What about this
Scenario
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Rob, one for your sleepless nights
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Sanders1,
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http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OVdT0C7oX46DsPm6TrfT5xxrm3h
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leaving a blue image.
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Chuck,
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»Is there any way to make a gradient adjustment layer fade to transparent?«
Obviously, because that’s what Your gradient is – white from 100% opacity to 0%.
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Changing the fade would then necessitate opening the SO and making the changes there, so convenience-wise that’s not so great.
But maybe someone else has a better idea.
Incidentally: Your screenshot seems to indicate that You don’t make use of Smart Objects to automatically update the »reflection« with the upper object and You might want to consider it.

Isolate and Adjustment with a Gradient in CS5 | Visual Design CS5 | Adobe TV

In this video you will learn how to isolate and adjustment with a gradient in Photoshop CS5 using curves and targeted adjustment tool.
http://adobe.ly/yokgFE

? why do you still list it?

Adjustment gradients

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