Abstract: A user interface method and system is described for presenting digital media to a user in familiar environments, and allowing user manipulation of the media and environments. The digital media includes collections of photographs, which are arranged and presented to the user as photo albums. Each of the photo albums has properties determined by the user, including how a selected photo album will be displayed. Examples include display as photographs in an open photo album, as a collection of framed pictures hanging on a gallery wall, as a storybook with each picture having associated text, and as a filmstrip. Each of the photo albums can also be displayed as a slide show. The user interface also includes menus from which various operations can be selected by the user.