Reading images in python : <p>I am trying to read a <code>png</code> image in python. The <code>imread</code> function in <code>scipy</code> is being <a href="https://docs.scipy.org/doc/scipy/reference/generated/scipy.ndimage.imread.html#scipy.ndimage.imread" rel="noreferrer">deprecated</a> and they recommend using <code>imageio</code> library.</p>

<p>However, I am would rather restrict my usage of external libraries to  <code>scipy</code>, <code>numpy</code> and <code>matplotlib</code> libraries. Thus, using <code>imageio</code> or <code>scikit image</code> is not a good option for me. </p>

<p>Are there any methods in python or <code>scipy</code>, <code>numpy</code> or <code>matplotlib</code> to read images, which are not being deprecated?</p>
