A really cool effect is called Mystical Lighting plug-in filter from AutoFX Software http://www.autofx.com.  With this Photoshop-compatible plug-in, you can add  light beams to provide the "Hollywood" look.  Software controls allow you to adjust the beam angle, softness of the edge, and how far the beam will reach.

     A critical aspect of image editing is color management.  In order for you to move files from one computer to the next or have prints that match what is one your screen, you must have your monitor calibrated.  There are software programs like Adobe Gamma Loader (Windows) or Macintosh Color calibration.  A better way is with a hardware device like the Spyder 2 from ColorVision.

http://www.colorvision.com/products.html.

     The Spyder 2 uses both software and hardware to calibrate your monitor and can be used on both CRT and flat-screeen monitors.