Storing images in a field

Hi All,
I use PG 7.3.2 an 7.4.1 on RH 7.1.
I'd like to store small (~ 100x100 px jpeg, or gif) images in a field in
binary format.
I tried to understand the documentation of the large objects but I'm afraid
I coluldn't.
I found some functions to import and export binary files into the db, but
these functions work on the server side.
How can I insert a block of binary data into a given field form the client
(WinXP, pgsqlODBC 7.03.01)? And on the other side how can I retrive that
data from there, how can I delete or modifay that?

In general which data type is the most powerful for this. The only purpose
of this field to store a photo or drawing of the product represented by the
record. It's not required to be parsed. Is it possible to have it compressed
or it should be done by the client?

Thank you,

-- Csaba Együd