As a keen photographer I echo gg's comments, especially that about the monitor. When I went from high quality normal definition monitor to a relatively inexpensive but superb HD monitor, I was staggered at the amount of extra detail I found during Photoshop processing. It actually made one memorable edit (of a bride that I wanted to isolate from the background to give a "white studio" effect) far more complex to do because it was so revealing of detail!
I am also about to invest in one of
these to ensure that my monitor is correctly calibrated. Far from essential, especially if you are starting on a lowish budget, but a nice refinement in the pursuance of consistent and accurate results.
Enjoy your editing and I wish you good luck finding the time to do so! Most of mine is in the wee small hours with the family asleep, maximizing my lucky requirement for only five hours' kip a night...