Use pictures to dress up your web pages, but don't overdo it. If you are doing your own personal web site, than just have fun and do whatever you want. Look at the file sizes on your images. If the file size is big, it will take a long time to download. Use graphics software to reduce image file sizes and convert to web friendly formats.
Frames are a kiss of death to the search engines.
You like frames or do you like visitors. Pick your poison. Navigating around the web site Most common web site design use a left menu and a top menu for navigation. Click for more on Navigation design. Design for older browsers both Netscape and Internet Explorer Don't Use Active Elements.