Photoshop is probably one of the most common forms of art-media programs, though there's also GIMP (Graphical Image Manipulation Program, I think? Been a good 3 years since I heard the full acronym), and I personally use Paintshop Pro (as does my far-better-then-me-at-art sister).
Really, it all boils down to preference and experience... If you've used one program longer (besides MS Paint), you should probably stick with that or look for some other similar programs in function and user interface.
For your basic resizing, cropping, level adjustment needs, as well as thumbnail making etc, I would recommend IrFanView. IrFanView . I don't know what it stands for, but it's free, it's fast, and easy to use.
Trying to remember properly, but GIMP should be free, too.
Never really messed with IrfanView, so I can't really make an opinion there. But I see it's name pop up everywhere, so there has to be SOMETHING good about it beyond the fact it's free.
The programs I tend to use are photoshop, painter, poser, and gimp. I love gimp. It's a lot like photoshop but with a few differences. The big thing I use it for is I find it easier to work with paths in gimp. The draw backs is the customization for brushes is nowhere near what is available in photoshop so things like natural looking brushes and paint don't work as easily, and there are not nearly as many color modes. It is great if you are learning or want to do comic style coloring.
http://www.gimp.org/
Hey gang,
Thanks for the imput. I will be giving all your suggestions a try and see what works best. Thanks again all. 
Elysian Shade, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Def
Lilith Vampyra, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Brute
Justicar Selene, lvl 28 Peacebringer
Elysian Bellona, lvl 22 Warshade
Here's another vote for PSP. Anything other than the current (X) version, ones which were actually manufactured and programmed by JASC and not Adobe. From what I heard version 10 is horrid compared to the ones they did on their own. (Adobe bought JASC and I cried. really I did.)
It's far simpler to use than Photoshop though admittedly its scope of plugins and thingamabobbers is more limited than PS. Most pros that I know of use all of the above and some you've never heard of..
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Thanks! I will check it out.
Elysian Shade, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Def
Lilith Vampyra, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Brute
Justicar Selene, lvl 28 Peacebringer
Elysian Bellona, lvl 22 Warshade
Was wondering what forum to post this in and figured y'all were the right ones to ask. So here goes....
What is a good program(s) for photo and/or picture manipulation? I can think of Photo Shop but I am wondering if there are others out there. The wif wants to do some work on our latest trip photos and I on screenshots from CoH/CoV and such.
Thanks in advance gang and keep up the wonderful artwork.
Elysian Shade, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Def
Lilith Vampyra, lvl 50 Drk/Drk Brute
Justicar Selene, lvl 28 Peacebringer
Elysian Bellona, lvl 22 Warshade