I user pixlr grabber which is web based but extremely powerful and very similar to photoshop. I know this question is a bit old but this new and awesome! Totally free pixlr.com.
YesGimp. Org download a free copy...it is really good. It is really free.
Created by the Linux people and it works with Windows.
I will go with paint. Net .. ( almost like a photshop). It can be downloaded from download.com or getpaint.net.
I would like to suggest you Picasa software. It is a free photo editing software.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.