Image Processing Using Pillow in Python
Have you ever wondered how images are processed in numerous applications like Instagram filters, photo editing software, and even medical imaging systems? The answer is through digital image processing techniques like blurring, sharpening, smoothing, and edge detection.
One of the widely used Python libraries for the same is Pillow library, which is also known as Python Imaging Library. In this article, we will explore some of the fundamental techniques of image processing using the Pillow library.to Pillow library and basic image processing
The Pillow library is a powerful tool that provides extensive support for opening, manipulating, and saving many different image file formats.
It offers a lot of functionalities to alter the properties of an image and perform various image processing tasks in Python. These tasks include cropping, resizing, rotating, flipping, and color adjustments.
Basic Image Processing Operations
Opening, Resizing, and Saving Images
from PIL import Image
image = Image.open("example.png")
resized_image = image.resize((500, 500))
resized_image.save("resized_example.png")
Image Filters Using Convolution Kernels
Convolution is a technique that is used for calculating various image processing operations like blurring, sharpening, and edge detection. Convolutions involve sliding a kernel over the image and calculate the weighted sum of pixels by each element in the kernel.
The result of this process is a new image that highlights a particular feature of interest. Kernel is basically a small matrix that is defined by the user to perform convolution operations.
The convolution kernels can have different sizes and shapes. A few popular ones include:
- Identity Kernel: [[0, 0, 0], [0, 1, 0], [0, 0, 0]]
- Blur Kernel: [[0.0625, 0.125, 0.0625], [0.125, 0.25, 0.125], [0.0625, 0.125, 0.0625]]
- Sharpen Kernel: [[0, -1, 0], [-1, 5, -1], [0, -1, 0]]
- Edge Detection Kernel: [[-1, -1, -1], [-1, 8, -1], [-1, -1, -1]]
Image Blurring, Sharpening, and Smoothing
Blurring an image can help to decrease image noise and hide unwanted details in the image.
There are different types of blurring filters available in the Pillow library, such as the Box blur filter and Gaussian Blur filter.
blur_image_box = image.filter(ImageFilter.BoxBlur(5))
blur_image_gaussian = image.filter(ImageFilter.GaussianBlur(5))
Sharpening an image can help to bring out the details and increase the contrast of the image.
The ImageFilter.SHARPEN filter can be used to sharpen an image.
sharp_image = image.filter(ImageFilter.SHARPEN)
Smoothing or denoising an image is done using the ImageFilter.SMOOTH filter.
It uses a predefined kernel to average a pixel value with its neighbors.
smooth_image = image.filter(ImageFilter.SMOOTH)
Edge Detection, Edge Enhancement, and Embossing
Edge detection is the process of finding the boundaries of objects within an image.
The edge detection filters detect sharp transitions in the color and intensity of neighboring pixels. The Pillow library provides the ImageFilter.FIND_EDGES filter for edge detection.
edge_image = image.filter(ImageFilter.FIND_EDGES)
Edge enhancement is used to bring out more edges in the image. The ImageFilter.EDGE_ENHANCE filter can be used to increase the contrast surrounding the edges.
enhanced_image = image.filter(ImageFilter.EDGE_ENHANCE)
Embossing is an image processing technique that creates a 3D effect on the image. The ImageFilter.EMBOSS filter can be used to create an embossed image with different effects.
embossed_image = image.filter(ImageFilter.EMBOSS)
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered some of the fundamental techniques of image processing using the Pillow library in Python. We have learned how to perform basic image operations like resizing, rotating, and cropping.
Additionally, we have also seen how to perform convolution operations using kernels for image blurring, sharpening, and edge detection. You can use these techniques to create amazing images that have enhanced visual appeal and highlight the key features in them.
In this article, we explored the fundamental techniques of image processing using the Pillow library in Python. We gained an understanding of different image operations like blurring, sharpening, smoothing, edge enhancement, and embossing using convolution kernels.
These techniques help to create amazing images with enhanced visual appeal in numerous applications. Learning these techniques is essential for anyone who works with images, whether it is for personal or professional use.
By utilizing the tools provided by the Pillow library, developers and image processing enthusiasts can create stunning images with ease.