Does anyone have time for this one? photoshop 2014 gradient not working.

Question

Working on a project with photoshop 2014 updated thursday night using foreground to transparent gradient. The edges of the picture are staying white instead of being transparent over the background or other pictures. I thought I was using the gradient correctly converting the pic to a png file, setting the mask, then applying the gradient to the edges. Is there something I am missing??? Please help.

Answer 1

below is a snip of the effect i am looking for. i remember it working in the trial version late 2013 photoshop. it was so simple i thought it would be hard to forget how, but i must be missing something. i looked, clicked and checked all around the work space to find a way to change from "background layer" and did not find it. the trial version (lets call it "trial period" because its all the same except paid for now along with updated to ps 2014) did also have the layer change in an easy to find way. i believe it was double click or right click over the currently active layer in the list as in the lower snip pic.
the pic above did work during my trial period so i know it works somehow. i dont know what i am missing now. right click or double click now does not bring up the layer type selection in the menu like you suggested to change from backgroung layer. also every new picture file i open makes its own new layer. when i make a new layer i havent figured out how to put a pic in it. if you could show me how to create this effect or find my missing step that would be awsome.