Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

org/python/getting-started-with-python-opencv/

pip3 install opencv-python

1 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python code to read image

import cv2

# To read image from disk, we use

# [Link] function, in below method,
img = [Link]("[Link]", cv2.IMREAD_COLOR)

print(img)

[[[ 87 157 14]

[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]

[[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]

[[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]

...

[[ 72 133 9]
[ 72 133 9]
[ 72 133 9]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]

[[ 72 133 9]

2 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

[ 72 133 9]
[ 72 133 9]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]

[[ 72 133 9]
[ 72 133 9]
[ 72 133 9]
...
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]
[ 87 157 14]]]

# Python code to read image

import cv2

# To read image from disk, we use

# [Link] function, in below method,
img = [Link]("[Link]", cv2.IMREAD_COLOR)

# Creating GUI window to display an image on screen

# first Parameter is windows title (should be in string format)
# Second Parameter is image array
[Link]("GeeksforGeeks", img)

# To hold the window on screen, we use [Link] method

# Once it detected the close input, it will release the control
# To the next line
# First Parameter is for holding screen for specified milliseconds
# It should be positive integer. If 0 pass an parameter, then it will
# hold the screen until user close it.
[Link](0)

# It is for removing/deleting created GUI window from screen

# and memory
[Link]()

3 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to explain [Link]() method

# importing cv2
import cv2

image_path = '[Link]'

# Using [Link]() method

# to read the image
img = [Link](image_path)

# Filename
filename = '[Link]'

# Using [Link]() method

# Saving the image
[Link](filename, img)

# Reading and showing the saved image

img = [Link](filename)
[Link]("GeeksforGeeks", img)

[Link](0)
[Link]()

4 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to explain [Link]() method

# importing cv2
import cv2

# path
path = '[Link]'

# Reading an image in default mode

src = [Link](path)

# Window name in which image is displayed

window_name = 'Image'

# Using [Link]() method

# Using cv2.ROTATE_90_CLOCKWISE rotate
# by 90 degrees clockwise
image = [Link](src, cv2.cv2.ROTATE_90_CLOCKWISE)

# Displaying the image

[Link](window_name, image)
[Link](0)

import cv2
import numpy as np

FILE_NAME = '[Link]'

# Read image from the disk.

img = [Link](FILE_NAME)

# Shape of image in terms of pixels.

(rows, cols) = [Link][:2]

# getRotationMatrix2D creates a matrix needed

# for transformation. We want matrix for rotation
# w.r.t center to 45 degree without scaling.
M = cv2.getRotationMatrix2D((cols / 2, rows / 2), 45, 1)
res = [Link](img, M, (cols, rows))

5 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

[Link]("GeeksforGeeks", res)

[Link](0)
[Link]()

•
•
•

import cv2
import numpy as np
import [Link] as plt

image = [Link]("[Link]", 1)
# Loading the image

half = [Link](image, (0, 0), fx = 0.1, fy = 0.1)

bigger = [Link](image, (1050, 1610))

stretch_near = [Link](image, (780, 540),

interpolation = cv2.INTER_NEAREST)

Titles =["Original", "Half", "Bigger", "Interpolation Nearest"]

images =[image, half, bigger, stretch_near]
count = 4

for i in range(count):
[Link](2, 3, i + 1)
[Link](Titles[i])
[Link](images[i])

6 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

[Link]()

# Python program to explain [Link]() method

# importing cv2
import cv2

# path
path = '[Link]'

# Reading an image in default mode

src = [Link](path)

# Window name in which image is displayed

window_name = 'GeeksforGeeks'

# Using [Link]() method

# Using cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY color space
# conversion code
image = [Link](src, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY )

# Displaying the image

[Link](window_name, image)

[Link](0)
[Link]()

7 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# addition of two images

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command

8 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

image1 = [Link]('[Link]')
image2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# [Link] is applied over the

# image inputs with applied parameters
weightedSum = [Link](image1, 0.5, image2, 0.4, 0)

# the window showing output image

# with the weighted sum
[Link]('Weighted Image', weightedSum)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# subtraction of pixels of two images

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command
image1 = [Link]('[Link]')
image2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# [Link] is applied over the

# image inputs with applied parameters
sub = [Link](image1, image2)

# the window showing output image

# with the subtracted image
[Link]('Subtracted Image', sub)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

9 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

•
•
•
•

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# bitwise AND of two images

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command
img1 = [Link]('[Link]')

10 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

img2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# cv2.bitwise_and is applied over the

# image inputs with applied parameters
dest_and = cv2.bitwise_and(img2, img1, mask = None)

# the window showing output image

# with the Bitwise AND operation
# on the input images
[Link]('Bitwise And', dest_and)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# bitwise OR of two images

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command
img1 = [Link]('[Link]')
img2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# cv2.bitwise_or is applied over the

# image inputs with applied parameters
dest_or = cv2.bitwise_or(img2, img1, mask = None)

# the window showing output image

# with the Bitwise OR operation
# on the input images
[Link]('Bitwise OR', dest_or)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

11 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# bitwise XOR of two images

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command
img1 = [Link]('[Link]')
img2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# cv2.bitwise_xor is applied over the

# image inputs with applied parameters
dest_xor = cv2.bitwise_xor(img1, img2, mask = None)

# the window showing output image

# with the Bitwise XOR operation
# on the input images
[Link]('Bitwise XOR', dest_xor)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

12 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# arithmetic operation of
# bitwise NOT on input image

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input images are specified and

# images are loaded with imread command
img1 = [Link]('[Link]')
img2 = [Link]('[Link]')

# cv2.bitwise_not is applied over the

# image input with applied parameters
dest_not1 = cv2.bitwise_not(img1, mask = None)
dest_not2 = cv2.bitwise_not(img2, mask = None)

# the windows showing output image

# with the Bitwise NOT operation
# on the 1st and 2nd input image
[Link]('Bitwise NOT on image 1', dest_not1)
[Link]('Bitwise NOT on image 2', dest_not2)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

13 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

import cv2
import numpy as np

image = [Link]('[Link]')

# Store height and width of the image

height, width = [Link][:2]

quarter_height, quarter_width = height / 4, width / 4

T = np.float32([[1, 0, quarter_width], [0, 1, quarter_height]])

# We use warpAffine to transform

# the image using the matrix, T
img_translation = [Link](image, T, (width, height))

[Link]('Translation', img_translation)
[Link](0)

[Link]()

import cv2

FILE_NAME = '[Link]'

# Read image from disk.

img = [Link](FILE_NAME)

# Canny edge detection.

14 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

edges = [Link](img, 100, 200)

# Write image back to disk.

[Link]('Edges', edges)
[Link](0)
[Link]()

If f (x, y) < T
then f (x, y) = 0
else
f (x, y) = 255

where
f (x, y) = Coordinate Pixel Value
T = Threshold Value.

•
•

15 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# simple thresholding type on an image

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input image is specified and

# image is loaded with imread command
image1 = [Link]('[Link]')

# [Link] is applied over the

# image input with applied parameters
# to convert the image in grayscale
img = [Link](image1, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# applying different thresholding

# techniques on the input image
# all pixels value above 120 will
# be set to 255
ret, thresh1 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY)
ret, thresh2 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY_INV)
ret, thresh3 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_TRUNC)
ret, thresh4 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_TOZERO)
ret, thresh5 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_TOZERO_INV)

# the window showing output images

# with the corresponding thresholding
# techniques applied to the input images
[Link]('Binary Threshold', thresh1)
[Link]('Binary Threshold Inverted', thresh2)
[Link]('Truncated Threshold', thresh3)
[Link]('Set to 0', thresh4)
[Link]('Set to 0 Inverted', thresh5)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

16 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# adaptive thresholding type on an image

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input image is specified and

# image is loaded with imread command
image1 = [Link]('[Link]')

# [Link] is applied over the

# image input with applied parameters
# to convert the image in grayscale
img = [Link](image1, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# applying different thresholding

# techniques on the input image
thresh1 = [Link](img, 255, cv2.ADAPTIVE_THRESH_MEAN_C,
cv2.THRESH_BINARY, 199, 5)

thresh2 = [Link](img, 255, cv2.ADAPTIVE_THRESH_GAUSSIAN_C,

cv2.THRESH_BINARY, 199, 5)

# the window showing output images

# with the corresponding thresholding
# techniques applied to the input image
[Link]('Adaptive Mean', thresh1)
[Link]('Adaptive Gaussian', thresh2)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

17 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python program to illustrate

# Otsu thresholding type on an image

# organizing imports
import cv2
import numpy as np

# path to input image is specified and

# image is loaded with imread command
image1 = [Link]('[Link]')

# [Link] is applied over the

# image input with applied parameters
# to convert the image in grayscale
img = [Link](image1, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# applying Otsu thresholding

# as an extra flag in binary
# thresholding
ret, thresh1 = [Link](img, 120, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY +
cv2.THRESH_OTSU)

# the window showing output image

# with the corresponding thresholding
# techniques applied to the input image
[Link]('Otsu Threshold', thresh1)

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

if [Link](0) & 0xff == 27:
[Link]()

18 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# importing libraries
import cv2
import numpy as np

image = [Link]('[Link]')

[Link]('Original Image', image)

[Link](0)

# Gaussian Blur
Gaussian = [Link](image, (7, 7), 0)
[Link]('Gaussian Blurring', Gaussian)
[Link](0)

# Median Blur
median = [Link](image, 5)
[Link]('Median Blurring', median)
[Link](0)

# Bilateral Blur
bilateral = [Link](image, 9, 75, 75)
[Link]('Bilateral Blurring', bilateral)
[Link](0)
[Link]()

19 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

•
•

import cv2

# Read the image

img = [Link]('[Link]')

# Apply bilateral filter with d = 30,

# sigmaColor = sigmaSpace = 100
bilateral = [Link](img, 15, 100, 100)

# Save the output

[Link]('Bilateral', bilateral)
[Link](0)
[Link]()

20 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

import cv2
import numpy as np

# Let's load a simple image with 3 black squares

image = [Link]('[Link]')
[Link](0)

# Grayscale
gray = [Link](image, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# Find Canny edges

edged = [Link](gray, 30, 200)
[Link](0)

# Finding Contours
# Use a copy of the image e.g. [Link]()
# since findContours alters the image
contours, hierarchy = [Link](edged,
cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_NONE)

[Link]('Canny Edges After Contouring', edged)

[Link](0)

print("Number of Contours found = " + str(len(contours)))

# Draw all contours

# -1 signifies drawing all contours
[Link](image, contours, -1, (0, 255, 0), 3)

[Link]('Contours', image)
[Link](0)
[Link]()

21 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•
•

# Python program to demonstrate erosion and

# dilation of images.
import cv2
import numpy as np

# Reading the input image

img = [Link]('[Link]', 0)

# Taking a matrix of size 5 as the kernel

kernel = [Link]((5,5), np.uint8)

# The first parameter is the original image,

# kernel is the matrix with which image is
# convolved and third parameter is the number
# of iterations, which will determine how much
# you want to erode/dilate a given image.
img_erosion = [Link](img, kernel, iterations=1)
img_dilation = [Link](img, kernel, iterations=1)

[Link]('Input', img)
[Link]('Erosion', img_erosion)
[Link]('Dilation', img_dilation)

[Link](0)
[Link]()

22 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

import numpy as np
import cv2

# Read the query image as query_img

# and train image This query image
# is what you need to find in train image
# Save it in the same directory
# with the name [Link]
query_img = [Link]('[Link]')
train_img = [Link]('[Link]')

# Convert it to grayscale
query_img_bw = [Link](query_img,cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)
train_img_bw = [Link](train_img, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# Initialize the ORB detector algorithm

orb = cv2.ORB_create()

# Now detect the keypoints and compute

# the descriptors for the query image
# and train image
queryKeypoints, queryDescriptors = [Link](query_img_bw,None)

23 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

trainKeypoints, trainDescriptors = [Link](train_img_bw,None)

# Initialize the Matcher for matching

# the keypoints and then match the
# keypoints
matcher = [Link]()
matches = [Link](queryDescriptors,trainDescriptors)

# draw the matches to the final image

# containing both the images the drawMatches()
# function takes both images and keypoints
# and outputs the matched query image with
# its train image
final_img = [Link](query_img, queryKeypoints,
train_img, trainKeypoints, matches[:20],None)

final_img = [Link](final_img, (1000,650))

# Show the final image

[Link]("Matches", final_img)
[Link](0)
[Link]()

•
•
•
•

24 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# Python3 program to draw rectangle

# shape on solid image
import numpy as np
import cv2

# Creating a black image with 3

# channels RGB and unsigned int datatype
img = [Link]((400, 400, 3), dtype = "uint8")

# Creating rectangle
[Link](img, (30, 30), (300, 200), (0, 255, 0), 5)

[Link]('dark', img)

# Allows us to see image

# until closed forcefully
[Link](0)
[Link]()

•
•

•
•

25 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

# OpenCV program to detect face in real time

# import libraries of python OpenCV
# where its functionality resides
import cv2

# Trained XML classifiers describes some features of some

# object we want to detect a cascade function is trained
# from a lot of positive(faces) and negative(non-faces)
# images.
face_cascade = [Link]('haarcascade_frontalface_default.xml')

# Trained XML file for detecting eyes

eye_cascade = [Link]('haarcascade_eye.xml')

# capture frames from a camera

cap = [Link](0)

# loop runs if capturing has been initialized.

while 1:

# reads frames from a camera

ret, img = [Link]()

# convert to gray scale of each frames

gray = [Link](img, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# Detects faces of different sizes in the input image

faces = face_cascade.detectMultiScale(gray, 1.3, 5)

for (x,y,w,h) in faces:

# To draw a rectangle in a face
[Link](img,(x,y),(x+w,y+h),(255,255,0),2)
roi_gray = gray[y:y+h, x:x+w]
roi_color = img[y:y+h, x:x+w]

# Detects eyes of different sizes in the input image

eyes = eye_cascade.detectMultiScale(roi_gray)

# To draw a rectangle in eyes

for (ex,ey,ew,eh) in eyes:
[Link](roi_color,(ex,ey),(ex+ew,ey+eh),(0,127,255),2)

# Display an image in a window

[Link]('img',img)

# Wait for Esc key to stop

k = [Link](30) & 0xff
if k == 27:
break

# Close the window

[Link]()

# De-allocate any associated memory usage

[Link]()

26 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

27 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM
Getting Started with Python OpenCV - GeeksforGeeks [Link]

28 of 28 2/5/2026, 1:19 PM