Hi! So I've never actually used the journal feature on deviantArt, and haven't really had a use for it.  But then again I've been plodding along rather happily just pointing and clicking and hoping for the best.  I'd like to get a little more serious about photography, but at the moment, I'm floundering.

I'm looking into buying a new lens or two (depending on what I can afford!)... If I were to get ONE kind of lens other than the default-y 18-55mm, what would you suggest?  I'm looking to get the most use out of it, but not sure what kind to explore.  Should I be looking into filters too? They don't seem too costly, but I've read some about these reducing the image quality...

Second area is software.  I've never really properly edited my photos (other than a couple you see in black and white! :-P), but so many do and they look absolutely amazing, so I'd love to give it a go.  What do you use?

First journal entry, and it's to highlight my complete ignorance on the whole subject! But any advice is much appreciated! (that is, if anyone reads this in the first place! :-P)