15. The apparatus for presenting a collection of digital images of claim 11 wherein the electronic controller is configured to interactively display the collections of iconic representations of digital image files using a graphic representation indicative of an emotional state based on the metadata.
11. An apparatus for presenting a collection of digital images comprising: an electronic controller configured to retrieve a plurality of collections of digital image files, each collection consolidating digital image files into groups based on metadata before receipt of an image display request, wherein the metadata includes at least data indicative of user interaction with the digital image files in the plurality of collections subsequent to initially acquiring the digital image files, and wherein the metadata is based on a frequency of access of the digital image files by the user; the electronic controller configured to display iconic representations of the digital images files by display of the collections in a visual metaphor, wherein the visual metaphor displays the iconic representations for different collections at different sizes and positions relative to one another, and wherein the different sizes of the collections in the visual metaphor are based on the frequency of access; and the electronic controller being responsive to user input by opening a digital image file selected by a user.