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Of course, in order to digitally enhance an image, the picture must be in digital format. Most digital cameras come with cables and software that allow you to directly upload pictures to your computer. However, if you shoot on film you have several options for digitizing your pictures.

Scanners are now fairly inexpensive, but if you don't want to buy a scanner you can have your pictures scanned at many copy shops, print shops, and photo supply stores. Also, services such as Kodak Picture CD allow you to order digital versions of your pictures (accessed via the Web) when you get your film processed.

Or, imagine a picture of a child riding on a merry-go-round. On your computer, you can select the child and then blur the background to provide some directional streaking. This subtly conveys the motion of the moment.

If you want your enhanced pictures to still look realistic, keep it subtle. This doesn't mean to limit your experiments. Rather, take your time to refine the effects you apply. For instance, it's fast and easy to blur the background when treating the background as a single element. Instead, try breaking your image up into several "layers," progressively blurring each. Also, use your software to experiment with cropping, contrast, and color.

Although high-end image-manipulation software can be costly, you can get good results from many inexpensive packages that cost $50 or less.