...what tools do you recommend to me to use I.E dreamweaver and photoshop applications. Are there another descent site like them as i would prefer to pay less then when i feel ready the use them. Any advise will be much appreciated...
Is this for your personal site(s)? or are you trying to freelance or start a business?
Depending on those answers, you get two different answers from me.
If you answer "for yourself only"... I say any wysiwyg editor you feel comfortable with. (Dreamweaver, frontpage, etc... even something like a wordpress or joomla install that has a wysiwyg admin panel)
For graphics, again for yourself... whatever you want to use. Online banner makers, visit in forums to get some struggling artist to make you a few things, use a template and edit it enough to make it more personal. For software... I always recommend Photoshop #1, but the learning curve to be "good" is steep. You can try an open source version called Gimp.
Now, if you answer "for others" (freelance/business), well,... You are doing it for others and they expect everything to be perfect, unlike something for yourself that can slide a little in this department.
First and formost: Learn solid html and basic php & javascripting. Don't depend on software to get it right. I personally don't use dreamweaver. But, ever other designer in our company does. I prefer not to have to fight with it and go back and fix bad code.
For graphics, BUY Adobe Photoshop. Open it up and hit the photoshop tutorials sites. Offer to do some free work for others. Join worth1000 and get your tail handed to you. Take the criticism and learn from it. Spend hours upon hours day after day learning to use the program well. (or hire a graphic artist
...)
Then you just need to learn how coding limits your design and visa versa.
I can put it to you this way. I've been a web designer for about 9 years. In the art and design field for about 12 years (and an "artist" since I could hold a writing instrument... about 28 years now)
With that said... I learn something new every single day. My photoshop skills grow every day. With every project and every problem comes a time for me to learn. I'm completely self taught and now do this every day working for a web design company (not freelance) and providing for my family at the same time.
Which ever you are doing this for (yourself or to make a living) I wish you luck in it.
