Want to convert my grayscale image to a layer mask

[Aerlyth]

Hi! I have a gray scale image that I want to turn into a layer mask. Here it is:

And this is the result I get...a very muted low contrast mask. I want the mask to have the same value range as the original image. How do I do that?

How I did it was I created an adjustment layer...then Image -> Apply image and did several different options including selectinig mask and not and it comes out muddy every time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Norman Sanders]

What is the image linked to the mask?

What is the image in the layer below it?

As shown above,  choose the layer you want to convert to a mask (top layer) and Select > All followed by Edit > Copy.

Add a mask to the middle layer. Then Option click on the mask. The screen will go white. Follow that with Edit > Paste.

Click on the eye in the middle layer and turn off the eye on the top layer.