Blogspot.com is own by google and it is one of the widely used blogging software both by professional and mostly beginner blogger that would like to "test" the world of blogging.
Blogspot.com is completely risk free since there is no need to purchase anything. It is the best "playground" like me to enhance blogging skills.
I find it eays to use even though this is my first to create a blog. Tools(open source, text editor, HTML editor, spell check,etc)are in place and there are wide variety of template to use. Traffic and the storage space is not limited, you can blog as long as you want.
I don't know anything about codes but this service is easy to gasp and it is understandable by all level of expertise.
Adding of photos is easy through Picasa service. You can also integrate advertising through codes or Google AdSense.
Though technical assistance is readily offered, it is a lot easier to ask assistance from other users. If you are having a hard time linking advertisement, you can always ask at the forums. For sure somebody already wrote about it.
Bottom lines is; Blogspot.com is a greate place for beginners to get the hang of blogging and the same include the ability to earn.