Octopus Overlords

Trying to create a new banner for a guild message board. Would like to have one picture fade to black from the left then the Guild logo in the center black area, then the black to fade to a 2nd picture on the right.

I only do very basic things with photoshop, but I couldn't figure out how to do a gradient with clear as one color and black as the other (I'm assuming that's how one would go about it?). Or is there a way to adjust the opacity of only parts of a picture so the background shows up?


Damn I need to take a PS class!


EDIT: Found what I needed. Layer masks.

You can also do this by entering quick mask mode, then drawing the gradient you want. Exit quick mask mode and you'll have a partial selection you can delete.

As for a website, I like www.photoshoptechniques.com

Thank you Misguided. Very handy link!