It can be very expensive if you let it. I have currently spent a 5 figure sum this year up to now and it is probably going to increase. The problem I have now, is that I have all this gear but not a lot of time left to learn. I will spend some time now working in poser and photoshop. My problem as been, I buy all this great stuff. I load it on to my computer and then, guess what something new a sparkly comes out. Being a bloke naturally I have got to have it(the new sparkly thing as well) I buy it load it........ I would suggest that you spend the time with poser and in your case since you use it already psp. Learn all you can about lighting, composition, cameras and textures. Then move onwards and learn some modelling for some small items etc.. until you have progressed to creating clothing and new characters etc.. I have spent around 4 hours working just on lighting in poser. I have more time to put in to get results that I think are right. The problem is, like most newbies, I expect to just click a few buttons a voila, a beautifully rendered, well lit realistic image comes out the other end. Time is what you really need, you no have the products put some time in with them and you should get some results. There is some excellent work on this site that can give you inspiration for your own work (just don't copy the work exactly, of course). One other thing plan what you want to achieve prior to sitting behind your computer. Otherwise you will wonder off thinking to yourself, "I wonder what that does, how interesting, now let me try this......" BTW PRO can mean a lot of things, here in the UK a PRO can refer to a prostitute. I'm not a pro in that sense or I would be able to afford lots more gear ;P