6. Adobe Photoshop 6

Photoshop is still the Mother of All Image Editing Programs, the standard by which all others are judged. Version 6 is enhanced with improved color management, enhanced layer management, a streamlined interface, better text handling and web integration, and more. Buy the full edition for $580. Qualified users can upgrade from earlier versions of Photoshop (not LE) for $140.

Not ready to fork over all that cash? Then try Adobe Photoshop Elements, incorporating many of the features photographers need at under $100. This offering is far superior to the very limited Photoshop LE that comes free with everything from scanners to bags of pretzels.

7. Photoshop book: "Real World Photoshop 6" (Blatner and Fraser) $35

If you have Photoshop, one of the best books I’ve found is "Real World Photoshop 6" by Blatner and Fraser ($35) If you’re looking for weird special effects, you won’t find them here. What you will get is professional guidance in Photoshop fundamentals and advanced techniques for producing solid output, as well as important background on the nature of digital images, color concepts, and scanning and printing.

8. Epson Stylus Photo Printers

Epson has set the standard for digital printing of photos. If you want to invest in a "darkroom" today, forget the enlarger and chemicals: go digital. The 6-color Stylus Photo series is optimized for quality photo output on specialized papers. Other models are faster and better for general purpose printing, but will leave serious photographers wanting. Get a cheap inkjet or laser for everyday printing, and a Stylus Photo for your Digital Darkroom.

• Stylus Photo 890 prints to 8.5"x44" - $290 ($50 rebate)
• Stylus Photo 1280 prints to 13"x44" - $470
• Stylus Photo 2000P prints to 13"x44" (pigment based inks for 100+ year archival permanence) - $800

Remember that Epson and other consumer inkjet manufacturers don’t make money on printers -- the profits come from replacement ink and paper costs. Still, the cost is low compared to traditional photo prints, and the quality and degree of control are superb.