The Imagefield module is a CCK field specifically for image files. You can upload your image right to the node and get it to display within your node, and even a View. When using the Imagecache module and Views combined, you can create your own CCK image gallery. You can also create with categories with the core Taxonomy module, and even thumbnails for your images if you use the Thickbox module.

Imagefield is being added to Drupal 7 core!

The Views module is by far one of the most important modules if you are trying to customize how your content displays on your site. It can create lists, tables, and can interact with several other modules. Combine Views with the Panels module and you can really start to display your content in a much more customized way.