GIMP anyone? Anyone???!!

[Keroin]

GIMP is the polar opposite of simple. But it IS free.

Word.

I have not used GIMP, but I do use Photoshop all the time, and love it. But Photoshop is pricey.

However, there is also Photoshop Elements, which is a pared-down version of Photoshop (at a cheaper price), and might be worth a look if you find GIMP too unwieldy. Buy.com has Elements 7 for Windows new for $59.99. Amazon has it new for 79.99; I thought the first comment in the comments section makes a good case that for the average user, Elements would be just fine.

You might be able to find Elements (or a full version of Photoshop) on eBay for even less. Just make sure that it's a real version, with box, documentation and serial number, and that it will run on your version of your OS; sometimes people mass-produce copies that may or may not work.

Thanks for that! I will be checking into PS when I think it fits the budget. I'm just not doing enough graphics right now to warrant it.

But I have loved all the feedback and suggestions here - gracias a todos!