post_file_stream.py

import requests
from io import BytesIO

def genCatImage():
    """
    generates an image from TheCatAPI and returns the image as a Byte stream
    """
    # get image from website
    r = requests.get('http://thecatapi.com/api/images/get?format=src&type=png')
    if r.status_code == requests.codes.ok:  # image returned OK
        img = BytesIO(r.content)  # create BytesIO object from the request
        r.close()  # close the get request
        return img  # return the BytesIO object
    else:  # request failed to retrieve the image
        r.close()  # close the get request
        return genCatImage()  # try to return another image

def uploadImage(url, params, file):
    """
    uploads an image given the upload url [string], extra parameters [string], and file [bytes]
    """
    # parameters for image upload
    post_params = {'parameters': params}
    # convert the BytesIO file object to a viable file parameter
    files = {'file': file.getvalue()}
    # POST request with the parameters for upload
    r = requests.post(url, data=post_params, files=files)
    file.close()  # close the BytesIO object