This enumeration lists the various ways in which you can lock a bitmap with the Bitmap.LockBits() method. You should pick the option that most closely matches your requirements, as the framework can optimize the marshaling of the pixel data. public enum ImageLockMode { ReadOnly = 1 , WriteOnly = 2 , ReadWrite = 3 , UserInputBuffer = 4 } HierarchySystem.Object System.ValueType System.Enum(System.IComparabl, System.IFormattable , System.IConvertible) ImageLockMode Passed ToSystem.Drawing.Bitmap.LockBits() |