Photoshop has been my source of income (plus Illustrator and QuarkXpress etc...) for the last 12 years and a graphic artist.
But there is so much to learn with just trial an error it is a fun program to just jump into.
Any of the Photoshop books would work as a stating point.
thanks for the complemnts...
Also here is a great thread on a quick and dirty how too with some cool chops. Check it out and try some...
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1151725