Gradient tool in photoshop is not working on layer masks

Question

I create posters for boxing events. Usually these posters involve a background image with multiple pictures of fighters in the foreground. In the past, it has been easy for me to add a picture of a fighter and then remove the fighter from the background using "select and mask". This makes fighters look like he/she is on background. Then in the layer mask of the fighter I add a gradient from the bottom to top of the fighter image to blend them in. However, this Spring I had to re-install Photoshop on my computer and ever since, the gradient tool has not been working like before. Now when I apply the same steps as above, the gradient tool always pulls in the old background of the original fighter image - like I never did "select and mask" in the first place. I have no idea why this is now occurring and can't get the old functionality back. Please help!

Answer 1

If you want to apply multiple layer masks to one layer then you can group that layer and add a layer mask to the group folder.

You can apply a gradient to a layer mask without replacing it if the gradient goes from 100% to 0% opacity. I would suggest creating a separate layer mask for the group since this would be non-destructive.