I assume that you know how to get to the menubar from your keyboard, so:...
Is that only in Mojave?
(using iCab? No. iCab can be downloaded for use with any mac system, going back some twenty years. There's 6 different versions on the iCab download page - http://www.icab.de/download.html)
Thank you for teaching me a new trick!!
(I just make suggestions ... )
When I go into Finder, and select an (image) article, is there a way from my keyboard to choose File > Open As ??
...
After selected the image file, drop down the file menu, then down arrow to the Open With, then right arrow to show the selection list for Open With.
Arrow down to the app you want to use, then press enter - and there you are.
If you still need to select the image to zoom it out, I don't know how to do THAT without using a pointing device of some kind. I seldom use JUST the keyboard, and almost always have a favorite mouse available, even on a laptop. Just works easier for me, even if I am completely comfortable with keyboard shortcuts, the mouse is more natural when I need to quickly point at (something), and is my preference, even if I have a trackpad to use. But, I also have a couple of friends that try to avoid touching any pointing device, unless their life is threatened.