If you want to convert images from the users file system you need to take a different approach. Use the FileReader API:
function encodeImageFileAsURL(element) {
var file = element.files[0];
var reader = new FileReader();
reader.onloadend = function() {
console.log('RESULT', reader.result)
}
reader.readAsDataURL(file);
}
<input type="file" onchange="encodeImageFileAsURL(this)" />