Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal _
    e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
    Dim bm_src As Bitmap = picSource.Image.Clone
    Dim bm_out As New Bitmap(bm_src.Width, bm_src.Height)
    Dim gr As Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bm_out)

    ' Give the image an alpha gradient.
    Dim alpha As Integer
    For x As Integer = 0 To bm_src.Width - 1
        alpha = (255 * x) \ bm_src.Width
        For y As Integer = 0 To bm_src.Height - 1
            Dim clr As Color = bm_src.GetPixel(x, y)
            clr = Color.FromArgb(alpha, clr.R, clr.G, clr.B)
            bm_src.SetPixel(x, y, clr)
        Next y
    Next x

    ' Draw the image onto the result.
    gr.DrawImage(bm_src, 0, 0)

    ' Draw some text on the result.
    Dim layout_rect As New RectangleF(0, 0, bm_src.Width, _
        bm_src.Height)
    Dim string_format As New StringFormat
    string_format.LineAlignment = StringAlignment.Far
    string_format.Alignment = StringAlignment.Center
    Dim the_brush As New SolidBrush(Me.ForeColor)
    gr.DrawString("Smile!", Me.Font, the_brush, _
        layout_rect, string_format)
    the_brush.Dispose()

    ' Display the result.
    picResult.Image = bm_out
End Sub