Material Ramp and Textures Question

When I use a ramp to try and soften the diffuse falloff on a Material, my texture image becomes barely visible. Is this normal? Is there a way to get my full texture image and a soft diffuse falloff at the same time?

adjust your ramp and may be with some transp or alpha value

or could subdivide your ramp in many parts like 7 or 10

anyway show us some pic and ramp set up

salutations