Reply to thread

Wow!  Thanks for your quick reply.  I am attempting to follow your directions.  I have loaded a .png file into Photoshop.  I created a new layer mask using the commands, Layer/New Adjustment Layer/Curves... .  I didn't see how to set the mask to "Hide All," so I just used Ctrl-I to Invert it from white to black.  However, when I "paint" on the mask using a soft brush, the icon of the mask changes, becoming white in places but the image itself doesn't change (so I can't see the actual modifications).  I tried not inverting the mask, leaving it white and painting on that mask.  It turned black in spots, but no changes in the image itself.  [I am not well versed with masks in general, but I'm learning].  I thought your "Hide All" might be referring to the new adjustment layer itself, so I tried "hiding" it by clicking the little eye, but that just turned off the layer and I couldn't paint on the mask.

Also, I was wondering if I am supposed to adjust the little "Curves" graph at some point.

Oh, and I just noticed a "Layer Style" called "Gradient Overlay."  Would this possibly be useful?