Photo Shop CS3 is the program to use if you plan on getting into serious graphic art work. I will be the first to say I have a limited knowledge of this awesome, complex, and sometime difficult software package. But I guarantee if you are willing to spend a little time, playing, reading and taking advantage of some of the great books out there you will find you get pretty proficient with some work. It is worth it. If you are serious about digital graphic art you have no choice.