Adding Background to Featured Content

Hi, I have Full Frame Pro - and have set my Featured Content Background Image. However - Because of the image, the background is very light on the left hand side and very dark on the right, so there is no colour I can make the text on the content excerpt which is 100% readable. Is there a simple way of putting a background around the excerpt text & headline (page name), with opacity so the image is visible through but the text is easier to read? Thanks in advanced, Craig.