Does anyone know what is the best software to use to enhance photos these days? I just want to do the simple stuff: remove red eye, balance colours, brighten/darken, etc. Any advice much appreciated.

Photoshop.

Aye.
If your looking for good and cheep, Photoshop elements #? would be your best bet, will have a lot of tools for u to piss about with too...

Thanks guys. I guess I'll be scouring for cheap prices now.

There are a few options that are free if you just want redeye and colour balance things like Kodak easyshare can be downloaded and has the basics or this recommended in pc answers http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html not used it yet but intend to try it

Found, on Amazon marketplace, Photoshop Elements 5 for £14. Allegedly used disk with a brand new key. Probably horse shite (Elements 2 and 3 bundled together or something ) but if I get Elements 5 for this price, I'll be amazed.

There are, obviously, less legal ways to get your hands on elements/photoshop >.>;

*cough*just say the word*cough*

Got my copy of Photoshop Elements 5 today. Cost me just under £18 delivered from Amazon (new and used). I couldn't vouch for whether it's an official version or not (no packaging, printed key stuck on the plain white sleeve, disc artwork smells freshly burnt).

You could also try the gimp it's free and very powerful, I use it at work as the fuckers are too cheap to buy me photoshop.

Now you tell me Cheers anyway Neilee

Sorry matey just spotted the thread.

Has the added of bonus of you doing pulp fiction impressions by announcing you're about to "bring out the gimp!" which can get you some strange looks in the office.