With a general idea of computer vision's goals established, we now examine the core element computers work with: the digital image. This chapter explains how images are represented and structured in a way that computers can process.

You will learn about:

• Pixels: The fundamental building blocks of any digital image.
• Image Representation: How pixel values are stored numerically.
• Color Spaces: Understanding different models like Grayscale, RGB ($Red$, $Green$, $Blue$), and HSV ($Hue$, $Saturation$, $Value$).
• File Formats: Common types like JPEG and PNG and their characteristics.
• Resolution and Coordinates: Defining image size and how pixel locations are identified.

We will also cover the practical steps involved in reading image files into a program and inspecting their basic properties, such as dimensions and color channels. Understanding these fundamentals is essential before moving on to manipulating and analyzing images.