Abstract: A color image of an object is processed so that the processed image accurately portrays the colors of the object regardless of varying exposure conditions. An object and a color chart that is comprised of a plurality of color chips having known colorimetric parameters are imaged under the same predetermined exposure conditions. Then, colorimetric parameters are determined for each imaged color chip of the imaged color chart. A correlation, between the known and the determined colorimetric parameters, is computed and, on the basis of the computed correlation, the color of the imaged object is corrected.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus with a color saturation controller for processing a color image signal to be printed derives color difference signals from an incoming color image signal, detects a minimum difference value between an allowable dynamic range of color difference signals and the derived color difference signals, and generates a coefficient value based on the detected minimum difference value. The levels of the derived color difference signals are corrected by multiplying the generated coefficient value and the color difference signals. The dynamic range of the input color difference signals is extended by such multiplication within a scope not causing any overflow, and the color saturation can be directly corrected without changing the color phase of the image signal.