What do you mean by 'takes so long to load'? How often do you have to load it? I load PS once a day. When i start the pc. Then i leave it on.
If you have a problem with the load time for photoshop, you either have a very old pc, or there is something wrong with it. PS is the best program available, and any program that's faster to load is only because it lacks the features and power of ps.
But if you just can't stand it, try these:
http://www.gimp.org/http://www.faststone.org/http://www.jasc.com