selection from an iterative list question

Hey.... I turn to you guys to get some opinions.... I've been grappling with this for a little while!!! I have a list of pictures with descriptions..... the list might range from 200-5000 items. It's currently displayed on either multiple pages or as one long/large list on one page..... I'm trying to determine what might be the best way to let the user select the items that he wants from the list. My current options: 1) I can create a dropdown list which would let the user select all the items he wants. This might work, but the list would be large and the user wouldn't be able to see the pic as he scrolls through the list. 2) I could let the user go down the pic/description list, and put a checkbo for each item. the user would have to press some sort of submit button, and the page would be redrawn, but it could work... Any other options/opinions would be appreciated. Or if anyone could point to a site where this issue is already resolved so i could see how someone else has approached this issue... Thanks Bruce bedouglas@earthlink.net