As Dick says, once you get used to doing it, it goes pretty fast. Photobucket is a great site and works well.
The hosting service I generally use is
http://www.imageshack.us/
I don't register there, keep a portfolio or pay a fee -- just use them to convert the picture.
Pictures are almost as simple as the copy and paste method for the URL above. I don't use any controls on the posting screen; everything comes ready to paste at the cursor. Here's how it works with ImageShack:
1. Shrink picture: I simply send it to myself using Windows' e-mail shrink feature.
2. Store e-mail version in "My Pictures" folder or wherever you keep your pics.
3. Go to hosting site.
4. click "Browse"
5. find picture
6. click "open"
7. select resize you want
8. click "host it"
When done, you get several options Click on your choice and copy; then paste it to your forum post. Size according to detail needed -- smaller pics load faster, especially for the dial-up members! Here's some examples:
"Thumbnail for forums 1"
(320 x 240 selected from first screen) copy/paste from "hotlink forums 1"
(640 x 480 selected from first screen) copy/paste "hotlink forums 1"
Other sites are very similar. With a little practice, you can do a picture in a minute or two; can work on your post during any waiting.
Now lets see some pictures!