Images with DMX/PHP/MySQL

I've looked on the web and so far only found patchy tutorials on how to use images with MySQl/PHP and integrate this together with DMX. I would like to be able to see which is better, storing them in a table or storing file names in a table and using those. Also how to make the displayed images link to a popup conatining a larger version. I understand that the GD library is available, but my host does not have PHP configured with this.

BAsically, an all rounder tutorial that will do the lot!!