Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, an image signal of a plurality of polarized lights is input, for each set of image signals corresponding to the polarized lights, a maximum value of polarization intensities of polarization components of the image signals and a polarization angle at which the maximum value of the polarization intensities is obtained are found, and a target area to which polarization reduction is to be applied is found based on the image signal and a statistical area is set in the target area. Representative intensity and angle which are modes of the polarization intensities and angles of the sets included in the statistical area are found, and first correction processing for correcting each image signal of the sets included in the target area is performed using the representative intensity and angle according to the polarization angle of the each image signal.

Abstract: A method of producing cobalt-modified magnetic particles is provided. The method comprises heating an aqueous suspension of ferric hydroxide at temperatures of 100.degree.-250.degree. C. at an alkaline pH in the presence of a water soluble organic or inorganic compound capable of forming complexes with iron as a growth regulating agent, and preferably also in the presence of .alpha.-ferric oxide seed crystals of minor axes not larger than 0.4 microns in average in amounts of 0.1-25 mole % in terms of the Fe content thereof in relation to the ferric hydroxide, converting the obtained .alpha.-ferric oxide into .gamma.-ferric oxide by reduction thereof followed by oxidation, maintaining an aqueous suspension of the .gamma.-ferric oxide at temperatures of 30.degree.-50.degree. C. at an alkaline pH in the presence of ferrous hydroxide and cobaltous hydroxide in amounts of 0.5-50 mole %, respectively, in relation to the Fe content of the .gamma.