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When a screenshot API returns the image itself, download it by checking the HTTP status and writing the response bytes to a file opened in binary mode (wb). First confirm whether the API returns raw image bytes, redirects to an image, or returns JSON containing an image URL: each response shape needs a different save step.
Save a raw image response with Requests
This pattern applies when the documented endpoint returns image bytes directly. Replace the endpoint, parameters, authentication, and filename extension with the values required by your provider.
import requests
response = requests.get(
"SCREENSHOT_ENDPOINT",
params={"url": "https://example.com"},
timeout=30,
)
response.raise_for_status()
with open("screenshot.png", "wb") as image_file:
image_file.write(response.content)
response.content is bytes, so use a binary-mode file rather than decoding the payload as text. Call raise_for_status() before writing: an error response may have a body too, and saving that body with an image extension does not make it an image. Requests documents these behaviors in its Developer Interface reference and Quickstart.
Keep credentials out of source code
If the provider requires an API key, load it from an environment variable or a secret store rather than committing it in a script. Authentication details and parameter names are provider-specific; use that API’s documentation rather than assuming the sample query applies.
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Identify what the API returns
Check the provider’s documentation and the response headers before choosing how to save the result. The endpoint’s response format is not determined by the fact that it creates screenshots.
- Raw image bytes: Check the status, then write the response body as bytes.
- Redirect to an image: Follow the provider’s documented redirect behavior, check the final response status, and save the final response body. Confirm whether your HTTP client follows redirects automatically.
- JSON containing an image URL: Parse the JSON, retrieve the image URL with a second request, check that request’s status, then write its bytes. Do not save the JSON response as a
.pngfile.
Response shapes vary by provider. For example, Screenshot API documents JSON by default and a redirect=1 option for image or PDF output, and its Python example reads a screenshotUrl from JSON. Those details apply to that provider, not screenshot APIs generally; see its REST API documentation.
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Stream large image responses to disk
For a potentially large screenshot, use Requests streaming so the whole response body need not be held in memory at once. Write only non-empty chunks:
import requests
with requests.get(
"SCREENSHOT_ENDPOINT",
params={"url": "https://example.com"},
stream=True,
timeout=30,
) as response:
response.raise_for_status()
with open("screenshot.png", "wb") as image_file:
for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=64 * 1024):
if chunk:
image_file.write(chunk)
Requests recommends iter_content() for streamed downloads; it also handles gzip and deflate transfer encodings. The 30-second timeout shown here is an example value, not a universal setting. Choose a finite timeout appropriate to your service and workload. See the Requests Quickstart for streaming guidance.
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Choose the correct file extension
Use the extension for the format actually returned, such as PNG, JPEG, or WebP. Check the API’s requested output format and its documented response behavior; where useful, inspect the response’s Content-Type header. Requests exposes response headers through response.headers. Do not infer the file format solely from the URL or from a filename you chose.
Use Python’s standard library if you do not want Requests
Python’s urllib.request can make HTTP requests without adding Requests as a dependency. The endpoint, authentication, and parameters below are illustrative; adapt them to the provider’s documented request format.
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from urllib.error import HTTPError, URLError
from urllib.request import Request, urlopen
request = Request("SCREENSHOT_ENDPOINT")
try:
with urlopen(request, timeout=30) as response:
content_type = response.headers.get("Content-Type", "")
image_bytes = response.read()
except HTTPError as error:
raise RuntimeError(f"Screenshot request failed with HTTP {error.code}") from error
except URLError as error:
raise RuntimeError(f"Could not reach screenshot endpoint: {error.reason}") from error
with open("screenshot.png", "wb") as image_file:
image_file.write(image_bytes)
print(f"Response Content-Type: {content_type}")
This reads the response into memory before writing. For large files, Requests streaming offers a convenient chunked approach. Python documents Request and URL-opening interfaces in its urllib.request documentation. As with Requests, handle the response according to the provider’s documented format; this example assumes a direct image response.
Troubleshoot downloads that are not valid images
- The file opens as text or is rejected as an image: The response may be an error page or JSON. Check the status before writing, inspect
Content-Type, and confirm whether the endpoint returns bytes, a redirect, or a JSON URL. - The request fails or hangs: Confirm the provider’s URL, method, authentication, and parameters. Set a finite timeout suited to the service; a timeout that is too short may interrupt a slow capture.
- The saved file format is unexpected: Match the extension to the actual output format requested or returned. Inspect the response headers and provider documentation.
- The saved file is incomplete or empty: Check for HTTP errors before writing. For streaming, ensure the loop writes every non-empty chunk and that the response context remains open until iteration completes.
- A JSON response contains a URL instead of the image: Parse the JSON and make a second request for the image URL; check that second response before writing its body.
Or skip the browser setup
If you would rather call a screenshot service than set up browser automation, ScreenshotNeo returns an image or PDF from one GET request. Its Python example saves the response body as bytes:
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import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)
See the ScreenshotNeo documentation for request details. It removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I use wb instead of w?
Image payloads are bytes. Binary mode writes those bytes without treating them as text.
Does raise_for_status() confirm that the response is an image?
No. It raises for unsuccessful HTTP status codes; also check the provider’s response format and, where useful, the Content-Type header.
Quick Recap
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