Thanks guys, that has all been really helpful.
In response to your questions, I just got a dSLR, so I will likely start shooting in RAW format. As a starting point, I want to learn how to do the tonal adjustments. Once I get the picture into Aperture (or PSE), I'm a bit lost as to what to do next. Where do I start in the editing process: is there an order to edits - brightness before contrast before sharpening, for example. I also feel I need to get a better feel for what needs to be done to the picture by looking at it, as my current method involves a bit too much trial and error.
Well, you can always start by setting the standard color for your monitor. If you are using an iMac or ACD, or Cinema LED display or any IPS panel you can set your color profile. That will help you determine what needs to be done to your images.
After than, opening layers and telling the computer what the white and black point of your photo is, then tone from there.
To set the W&B points, open the layers adjustments (command + L) then click on the black eye dropper in the lower right and then click on the brightest part of your image, do the same for white and if you have a neutral gray that one as well.
This tells PS what the maximum white and black points are, and help you get much of you imaged adjusted from the start. After that, you work off of your profile and tone using curves, levels, etc. and other nifty tools like history brush, dodge burn, etc to get it right.
p.s. Never go about toning your images using your eye. Even calibrators don't do the job completely. You'll have to find out what needs to be done by the numbers to get spot on color. Just like setting the RGB values for white, black and grey are important, so is getting as close as you can to skin tones and such for people and things.
You don't need a see of adjustment layers to tone, just make sure you save the original file. Aperture/Lightroom helps to make different versions of the same image. As does Bridge when you move up to PS CS4.
Don't get caught up too much in the tools, they all do the same thing just slightly differently. Curves, Levels, saturation, etc. just about everything in the IMAGE tab does the same thing. Find out which one gets the jobs that you need done quicker or more accurately than the others.
Dodge/burn works good at 5%-->10% with midtones IMHO.
History brush (if it's in PS Elements) is a WONDERFUL and AMAZING tool for tricky exposures, and things that just make you go
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