How do I read an image file using Python?

Question

How do I read an image file and decode it using Python?

Please specify what you mean with "read", what is your purpose? — ase, Sep 17 '10 at 13:12
Please specify what you mean with "decode", what do you want to do with the resulting image? — reinierpost, Sep 20 '10 at 12:32
Install [Pillow](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/Pillow/2.7.0). — Antti Haapala -- Слава Україні, Mar 15 '15 at 07:16
You can `read` as binary, aka using the `rb` flags. in order to transmit the raw image data to another program via python. Python itself would need an image viewer to present that data as visual non-binary content. — NuclearPeon, Jun 16 '15 at 23:03

score 53 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 14 '18 at 14:59

53

The word "read" is vague, but here is an example which reads a jpeg file using the Image class, and prints information about it.

from PIL import Image
jpgfile = Image.open("picture.jpg")

print(jpgfile.bits, jpgfile.size, jpgfile.format)

edited Jun 14 '18 at 14:59

divibisan

answered Sep 17 '10 at 15:05

TheGentleOne

1

I want to read the jpg/png image & decode it . – Nimmy Sep 20 '10 at 12:27
17

If I run that code in the same directory as a file named "picture.jpg", I get the error: `Traceback (most recent call last): File "test.py", line 2, in import Image ImportError: No module named Image`. The os, sys imports are extraneous; you probably meant `from PIL import Image`, which requires running `easy_install PIL`, or if you're not feeling lucky (PIL requires a substantial amount of luck to install), `easy_install pillow`. – chbrown Jul 20 '14 at 21:33
What's the `import os,sys` used for? – caird coinheringaahing Apr 07 '17 at 15:38
1

I think it should be image, not Image, – Mohanad Kaleia Apr 20 '17 at 20:42

1 Answers1