I would be wary because you never know what you're going to get.

Seriously, the best way to learn Photoshop is just to play around with the different functions and tools. Find tutorials online, etc... I've been working with it for 5+ years and just learned some new things at a seminar I went to not that long ago.

http://www.raleighcarydgalumnae.org/...ertutorial.htm

It is a REALLY simple version of how I start Greek Banners...but it does teach you many of the tools I use.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...mbonimini1.jpg

I made that on Picture It! and I was pretty impressed with myself. Do you think Photoshop has a lot more to it? Is it alot better than Picture It!? Obviously it probably is since it's way more expensive.

It is A LOT more powerful...to me photoshop is like my brain. I really only use a small percentage of it (my brain and photoshop!)...if I knew how to really manipulate images in photoshop (like if that was my job), I know it has amazing potential. But for a novice, I think I do decently well with what I know. I've never used "Picture It!" - but I imagine it's a very consumer friendly program...while photoshop is much more complicated.

Yes, Photoshop is a lot better. You can do almost anything in Photoshop.

so I started this reply before I went to lunch, but didn't post until after and now I see WhiteDaisy explained it much better

Photoshop is industry standard for graphic designers. (As are Illustrator, InDesign, Quark, and the various MacroMedia suite programs.)

If you are considering a career in design and going back to school for it, get photoshop. I spent my first year in design school with PrintShop! I didn't do so well because your professors will expect a lot out of you.