load_image(filename, alpha=False, colorkey=None)

load_image (...) -> Surface

Loads and returns an image.

Tries to load an image from the passed 'filename' argument and automatically converts it to the display pixel format for faster blit operations.

The 'alpha' argument will enforce alpha transparency on the image by invoking Surface.convert_alpha(). If the surface contains alpha transparency, it will be enabled automatically.

The 'colorkey' argument can be used to add color based transparency using Surface.set_colorkey().

The following example will load an image using both, alpha transparency and a colorkey: