Learning To Use The Gradient Tool - Experiment

On my final piece i plan to use a gradient, which allows me to fade my image into one solid colour, i want to use this on a monochromatic colour scheme, so i can use the solid colour to put type on.

After selecting the gradient tool i went into its 'settings' - the gradient editor. This allowed me to pick a premade gradient or using the slider at the bottom, allowed me to make my own which would then fade completely at the top, after moving the sliders and picking where i wanted it to start fading i saved it so i could use this again. 

after using the settingsi drew my gradient onto a new layer. When i first did it the gradient didn't quite reach the picture.

I then used the transform tool to move and stretch the gradient up and down as needed, once i did this i pressed enter and the gradient and the picture were finished. 

This is what my final gradient should look like when i make my final poster.