thanks guys - both ways work but perhaps I didnt explain too well.
I have 2 pics - one portrate and one landscape - I want to create an animation for the web swapping between the 2 pics.
So I thought I could have a final size high enough and wide enough for both.
So i used canvas size to get the extra white around the pic so both pics now the same size with white borders.
I then added a white layer above the original with a layer mask, then was trying to use a gradient on the layer mask to fade in each of the sides but each time I draw a gradient it replaces the previous one - is there a way of getting "multiple" gradients on a mask?
While I was playing I manage to do it but cant remember how!
Ann