gradients to control adjustments

[meamjw]

I am now using CS5 and I have spent probably at least 10 hours trying to learn how to efficiently use the gradient tool to fade luminosity and color adjustments. I have comletely failed to figure it out on my own or find any useful tutorials.
One of the editors I used to have made it really easy to drag out a gradient wherever I wanted it. That may have been CS, can't recall.
I'm not the slightest interested in all the colored effects type gradients that are all over the internet. Can someone please tell me where to find a good tutorial that focuses on the underlined task? Or, where to find a good plugin or seperate program to do the job?

 

[Hoogle]

I dont get what the problem is \use linear or radial gradient set the colours to Black to transparant select the mask and then just use the gradient on your image where you need it.

 

[jaysuess]

Try not using the gradient fill tool (which makes a standard gradient), but making the gradient manually using the Gradient Tool in the tool bar (it's located with the Paint Bucket Tool). With this tool you can make gradients anywhere at any size. Use the settings at the top to set your gradient, then just click and drag. Hope this helps. I may have misunderstood your dilemma.