You know, I've been thinking the same thing. Comments get points too but for submissions I've decided to start working on more original pictures.
Gimp.org is the site - free, collective works. I have zero for basis of comparison but, it's photoshop and what I've done so far I guarantee is only scratching the surface of what it can do. I've also only been working with it for a couple months. I try to use it whenever possible so I have to figure out stuff. I have the layering down pat and was just saying the other day it was giving me trouble and I didn't understand it.
All I can say is I had no idea I was capable of any of this and if I can figure it out so quickly, some of you all will be f'in amazing in no time.