How can I create a gradient blur?

see, with the new proposed rating system, one answer would have gotten marked as "Answered" and ho given "points", and all the other methods would have gone un-remarked.

The fastest and truest solution is to create a new channel, apply the gradient, then use lens blur, and select the alpha channel as a depth map.

While Ho's procedure might look ok, it is a also fake gradual blur, as it can be described in this discussion: http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169
Some images disappeared, but the result can be seen in later posts...

An alternate solution would be to do as he described, but repetitively with very low blur settings. (so that the blur gets applied more and more.

:)

Ho, your method worked great. That's exactly the effect I was looking for.

Thanks.

Ho's way and OP's way produce identical results. Whether you apply a gradient mask to a blurred layer, or apply the blur through a selection.

You might look into lens blur which can be applied with a depth mask (your gradient as an alpha channel) and might get the effect you want.

Create your gradient in a new channel, black to white (or gray to white if you want some blur at the origin), and then load it as a selection. Apply the blur of your choice.