dissolving a photo

Turn the layer your image is on into a normal layer, if it is not one already, by double clicking in the layers palette.

Now press the little circle in the rectangle button at the bottom of the layers palette to add a layer mask.

Press the "D" key for default foreground/background colors.

Choose the gradient tool set to draw from foreground to background colors.

Click where you want the fade to start, and drag to where you want it to end.

Add a white layer underneath to see the final effect.

I am not familiar with the Tom Hanks DVD but I suspect that you can get the effect that you need from using Advanced Layer Styles.

Double click on the Layer in the layers palette to open the Layer Style Palette. Choose Blending Options.
Option-Click on the White Arrow in the section called Blend If: (Gray) "This Layer" so that the arrow splits and move the left half towards the Black end of the scale on the left.

Rick: Is this the cover? < http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003CXRP.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg>

LRK–

Actually the image I am referring to is on the DVD menu page (on the DVD)–sorry should have been more specific. I wish I had a reference to display… look at this actually :
<http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/cast_away/>

Thanks.

Rick:
Layer Mask — with GB’d edges.

Ann–thank you—that was indeed the treatment I was looking for. JOHN–I applied your technique as well…but I was only able to get it to apply to one side of the picture–not surrounding the pic…but I like that look.

Thanks very much for the help.