1. A method for rating images to facilitate image retrieval, comprising: a) storing a plurality of digital image files in a digital memory; b) displaying some of the plurality of stored digital image files as thumbnail images on an image display device; c) permitting a user to sequentially select thumbnail images and to select a user rating from a plurality of user ratings including at least three different integer value ratings, wherein the user rating indicates the importance of the image to the user; d) storing the user ratings in the corresponding digital image files; and e) using the user ratings to facilitate retrieval of at least some of the plurality of digital image files.