Photoshop isn't cheating. Unless you're shooting RAW, then there's always editing applied to the image within the camera anyway. It's all about control over an image. If you can make an ok image a great one, then why wouldn't you edit? A lot of the compact cameras automatically apply sharpening/contrast/saturation to shots straight out of the box to look more 'pleasing'. I've generally found that the standard or neutral colour settings within a camera look really drab...and always need that extra bit of punch.
I know a lot of purists out there from the film days that are happy to bag out photoshop, but they were applying many of the same techniques used in photoshop in the darkroom anyway.
Thumbs up to the people in here recommending the D90 and the D7000
But back onto the original post...SLR's are definitely worth the money. The kit lenses will keep you going for awhile, and are a great starting point, but eventually you'll want lenses that can do a little more.
I know a lot of purists out there from the film days that are happy to bag out photoshop, but they were applying many of the same techniques used in photoshop in the darkroom anyway.
Thumbs up to the people in here recommending the D90 and the D7000
But back onto the original post...SLR's are definitely worth the money. The kit lenses will keep you going for awhile, and are a great starting point, but eventually you'll want lenses that can do a little more.