I've always had an interest in photography, but never got started on anything serious (just point and click type stuff with auto settings). However, when I get the hang of things, I would like to take photos as a hobby, do things like graduation portraits or glamour shots, things of that sort. Does anyone know what the standards are nowadays for cameras? Is the Canon EOS Rebel XT SLR digital camera with a good zoom lense considered professional?

What programs are generally used for retouching the photos after they are shot? Photoshop is a given, but anything in addition? Perhaps add-ons to Photoshop?

How are photographs generally printed (professionally) from digital to paper?

Does anyone on IronMag do amateur or professional photography?