Python | Working with PNG Images using Matplotlib Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 4 Likes Like Report Matplotlib is a multi-platform data visualization library built on NumPy arrays and designed to work with the broader SciPy stack. Matplotlib consists of several plots like line, bar, scatter, histogram etc. In this article, we will see how to work with PNG images using Matplotlib. Example 1: Read a PNG image using Matplotlib Python import matplotlib.pyplot as plt import matplotlib.image as img # reading png image file im = img.imread('imR.png') # show image plt.imshow(im) OutputExample 2: Applying pseudocolor to image Pseudocolor is useful for enhancing contrast of image. Python import matplotlib.pyplot as plt import matplotlib.image as img # reading png image im = img.imread('imR.png') # applying pseudocolor # default value of colormap is used. lum = im[:, :, 0] # show image plt.imshow(lum) OutputExample 3: We can provide another value to colormap with colorbar. Python import matplotlib.pyplot as plt import matplotlib.image as img # reading png image im = img.imread('imR.png') lum = im[:, :, 0] # setting colormap as hot plt.imshow(lum, cmap ='hot') plt.colorbar() OutputInterpolation SchemesInterpolation calculates what the color or value of a pixel “should” be and this needed when we resize the image but want the same information. There's missing space when you resize image because pixels are discrete and interpolation is how you fill that space. Example 4: Interpolation Python from PIL import Image import matplotlib.pyplot as plt # reading png image file img = Image.open('imR.png') # resizing the image using updated resampling img.thumbnail((50, 50), Image.Resampling.LANCZOS) # display plt.imshow(img) OutputExample 5: Here, 'bicubic' value is used for interpolation. Python import matplotlib.pyplot as plt from PIL import Image # reading image img = Image.open('imR.png') # resizing with updated resampling img.thumbnail((30, 30), Image.Resampling.LANCZOS) # bicubic used for interpolation while displaying plt.imshow(img, interpolation='bicubic') OutputExample 6: 'sinc' value is used for interpolation. Python from PIL import Image import matplotlib.pyplot as plt # reading image img = Image.open('imR.png') # resizing with updated resampling img.thumbnail((30, 30), Image.Resampling.LANCZOS) # sinc used for interpolation while displaying plt.imshow(img, interpolation='sinc') Output Create Quiz Comment R ravikishor Follow 4 Improve R ravikishor Follow 4 Improve Article Tags : Python Image-Processing Python-matplotlib Explore Python FundamentalsPython Introduction 2 min read Input and Output in Python 4 min read Python Variables 5 min read Python Operators 4 min read Python Keywords 2 min read Python Data Types 8 min read Conditional Statements in Python 3 min read Loops in Python - For, While and Nested Loops 5 min read Python Functions 5 min read Recursion in Python 4 min read Python Lambda Functions 5 min read Python Data StructuresPython String 5 min read Python Lists 4 min read Python Tuples 4 min read Python Dictionary 3 min read Python Sets 6 min read Python Arrays 7 min read List Comprehension in Python 4 min read Advanced PythonPython OOP Concepts 11 min read Python Exception Handling 5 min read File Handling in Python 4 min read Python Database Tutorial 4 min read Python MongoDB Tutorial 2 min read Python MySQL 9 min read Python Packages 10 min read Python Modules 7 min read Python DSA Libraries 15 min read List of Python GUI Library and Packages 3 min read Data Science with PythonNumPy Tutorial - Python Library 3 min read Pandas Tutorial 4 min read Matplotlib Tutorial 5 min read Python Seaborn Tutorial 15+ min read StatsModel Library - Tutorial 3 min read Learning Model Building in Scikit-learn 8 min read TensorFlow Tutorial 2 min read PyTorch Tutorial 6 min read Web Development with PythonFlask Tutorial 8 min read Django Tutorial | Learn Django Framework 7 min read Django ORM - Inserting, Updating & Deleting Data 4 min read Templating With Jinja2 in Flask 6 min read Django Templates 5 min read Python | Build a REST API using Flask 3 min read How to Create a basic API using Django Rest Framework ? 4 min read Python PracticePython Quiz 1 min read Python Coding Practice 1 min read Python Interview Questions and Answers 15+ min read Like