Dan and others,
While researching to develop a personal website, what do you think is useful for making graphics? What I have in mind is using a picture as a background then adding text or other graphics in the foreground. Something that I could use to add context to the VA4ROC site as well.

A good example is the YotaTech graphic at the top of this page.

 

The problem with using pictures is that your text and content can get hidden in it. Best is to use a texture with subtle variations, solid color, side bar or a washed out picture.
As far as programs, I have been using Photoshop for a few years on a recreational level and am very happy with it, though I probably don't use any of the features it has over it's stripped down cheaper version, Photoshop elements. I just got Paint shop pro, which is cheaper, and some claim it is equally good. Just upgrade the lapto to a 4o GB hard drive and can finally load all this software I've been dying to try, am very impressed with dreamweaver, but having trouble with Flash.