Python Pillow - ImageChops.overlay() Function

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The Python image processing library Pillow (PIL) provides several functions within its ImageChops module for performing arithmetical operations on images. Also, it provides the function for performing the blending mode operations on images. Additionally, the library includes functions specifically designed for blending modes, which are techniques for merging two images or layers to generate a distinctive result. One such blending mode is Overlay.

The ImageChops.overlay() function is used to superimpose two images on top of each other using the Hard Light algorithm.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of the function −

PIL.ImageChops.overlay(image1, image2)

Parameters

Here are the details of this function parameters −

• image1 − The first input image.

• image2 − The second input image.

Return Value

The return type of this function is an Image.

Examples

Example 1

Here is an example demonstrating the working of the ImageChops.overlay() function for superimposing the two images using the Overlay algorithm.

from PIL import Image, ImageChops
import numpy as np

# Create two input images using numpy array
array1 = np.array([(154, 64, 3), (255, 0, 0), (255, 255, 0), (255, 255, 255), (164, 0, 3)], dtype=np.uint8)
array2 = np.array([(200, 14, 3), (20, 222, 0), (255, 155, 0), (255, 55, 100), (180, 0, 78)], dtype=np.uint8)

image1 = Image.fromarray(array1)
image2 = Image.fromarray(array2)

# Display the pixel values of the two input images
print("Pixel values of image1 at (0, 0):", image1.getpixel((0, 0)))
print("Pixel values of image2 at (0, 0):", image2.getpixel((0, 0)))

# Superimpose the two images using overlay
result = ImageChops.overlay(image1, image2)

# Display the pixel values of the resulting image at (0, 0)
print("Pixel values of the result at (0, 0) after overlay:", result.getpixel((0, 0)))

Output

Pixel values of image1 at (0, 0): 154
Pixel values of image2 at (0, 0): 200
Pixel values of the result at (0, 0) after overlay: 212

Example 2

Here is another example demonstrating the working of the ImageChops.overlay() function for superimposing the two PNG images using the Overlay algorithm.

from PIL import Image, ImageChops

# Open the two image files
image1 = Image.open("Images/pillow-logo-w.png")
image2 = Image.open("Images/ColorDots.png")

# Apply the Overlay algorithm
result = ImageChops.overlay(image1, image2)

# Display the input and resulting images
image1.show()
image2.show()
result.show()

Output

Input Image 1

Input Image 2

Output Image

Example 3

Here is an example that demonstrates the use of the ImageChops.overlay() function to perform Overlay blend mode with two JPEG image files.

from PIL import Image, ImageChops

# Open the two image files
image1 = Image.open("Images/Tajmahal_2.jpg")
image2 = Image.open("Images/Flower1.jpg")

# Apply the Overlay algorithm
result = ImageChops.overlay(image1, image2)

# Display the input and resulting images
image1.show()
image2.show()
result.show()

Output

Input Image 1

Input Image 2

Output Image