1. A method for rating images to facitilate image retrival, comprising the steps of: (a) storing a plurality of digital image files in a digital memory; (b) displaying the plurality of stored digital image files; (c) permitting a user to select one of the plurality of displayed images and to select a rating, wherein the rating indicates how much the user likes the image; (d) responsive to the user rating, providing a user image value for the selected displayed image, and; (e) storing the user image value as metadata in the stored digital image file corresponding to the displayed image, wherein the user image value uses a multi-point scale and wherein a maximum point value corresponds to a best rating.