I consider myself to be a pretty serious photographer, who learned about film speed, focal length, exposure value and shutter speeds the "old fashioned way" by using an old adjustable film camera and a handheld light meter that was handed down to me by my dad.

Many of my prize photos were printed in a makeshift darkroom and hung to dry on temporary lines set up in a small bathroom. So my technical and aesthetic training in photography and darkroom skills was solid and strong, right from the beginning.

Over the years, I watched the photography scene change quickly from conventional film use to an instantaneous digital format. My first experience with a digital camera had me hooked. And then I discovered Photoshop, a software package that essentially replaced all my darkroom equipment and chemicals with computer-based film processing, enlarging and special effects. There was no turning back for me.

Photoshop CS4 or Photoshop Elements 7 (the newest versions) are definitely must-have software packages for both the amateur and professional photographer. Created and distributed by Adobe, the Photoshop software helps turns ordinary digital photographs into exceptional masterpieces. It acts as a virtual darkroom on your computer, providing countless combinations of settings, manipulations, filters and effects in a highly sophisticated package.

Photoshop Elements 7 is an excellent choice to get started. It's the top-selling software for enhancing photos and making memorable photographic creations that will last a lifetime and be part of your family's pictorial history for years to come. It is a must-have companion for any digital photography enthusiast. Bring your digital photos into Photoshop and you will have them come out with a brightness and a clarity that you never thought possible.

Photoshop also allows you to scan old photographs and fix up any imperfections. The sophisticated tools that are built into the software can actually help eliminate cracks and lines in old photos, perk up colors, brighten the lighting and contrast and make corrections in just a few moments.

Photoshop has a myriad of tools that will help you sort and arrange photos on your computer so they are easily retrievable. Although there may be a steep learning curve for some people, there are several useful tutorials and many user groups available online that can help. If you're a photographer - even a casual photographer, then you need Photoshop to help turn your photos into masterpieces!