But it's so expensive, where is teenager going to get it

 

um...stealing?  
No, but really, if you can't afford it,
then go with the free alternative.
GIMP is fine. Look at what Coolhand
has been able to do with it.  

 

You can always download a free 30-day trial of Photoshop CS4. If you like it, then you can see if your parents can get you Photoshop for Christmas.

Or, you can download GIMP for free and try experimenting with GIMP. There's tutorials here in the funnies section that shows you how to do certain effects, and I believe there's also tutorials online to get you started on using GIMP.

The choice is up to you.

 

Camera: Funny, I use a Kodak EasyShare camera, which is a C1713, by the way. It's absolutely AWESOME, and only gets blurry pictures because of my shaky hands. It has 7.0 mega pixels, and a 3x optical zoom. I use a Kingston Micro SD Adapter, which has a a Nokia 1 GB Micro SD in it currently. The tripod I use is a knockoff Gorillapod, which doesn't work as a tripod, really.

Photo Editing Program: I use GIMP, and it hasn't failed me yet, at least on this computer I'm using right now. It always acted up on my old laptop. Sure, it's not Photoshop, but it works fine. For me, at least.

Backdrop: Same here, but I hardly need to use foam boards, since mine are really just oneshots.

 

I think that a skilled GIMP artist can do most everything CS4 can do, and visa versa for GIMP. If you are just starting, start in GIMP, because it's free.

 

That camera sounds like it is awesome, but also an upgraded version from the one I had. Mine didn't even have 5 megapixels.

 

Hmm.

Well I use a Fujifilm Finepix F30. Mostly with the macro setting though I do occasionally get frustrated with how dark those pictures come out. If there's enough light, I'll use it without macro.

I also on a few occasions use a 57" tripod, though it's annoyingly too short for most of my photos.   I generally just prop it up on top of an empty box.

For software I use GIMP. While it isn't quite as good as Photoshop, it's free and it gets the job done. Works perfectly.  

 

you had me at Free. link?  

 

I use a 10MP Olympus for photos, and a hand-held fluorescent lamp for lighting.

Corel Photo Paint 7.0 is my image editing program of choice.

And Comic Life is where I make the comics.

Just look it up on Google.

I personally don't like Gimp. Probably because everything is so much easier on Corel, and there are no layers.

 

I dont know what it is, but my camera was mainly made for videos. It's funny, we just got a brandnew laptop, and it can't read the videos, but it can upload the pictures. Not to metion the fact i took 3 long videos at the american lemans, and i can't upload them.

I just use photobucket.

 

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program
I hope that works for you.