> For example: I want to download the homepage (and JUST 
the 
> homepage) of www.cnn.com
> I can easily specify to download depth zero and get the 
> text. However, many of the pics on that page are of lower 
> depths (Ex: <http://www.cnn.com/abc/123/pic.jpg>). 

Use filters (Options/Scan rules) - the most powerful way:
-* +*.jpg +*.gif +*.png +*.css +*.js

This will exclude any further page (-*) except images and 
useful things.