Abstract: A decision as to whether to perform backlight adjustment processing is executed using both image data and image generation record information, and when it is decided to execute the same, backlight adjustment processing to increase brightness value of at least some pixels in the image data is executed.

Abstract: A CPU 411 splits selected image data GD into a plurality of areas (pixel data groups), analyzing the image data GD in terms of area units, and determining the color range of the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 determines color range areas by associating adjacent areas of the same color range when determining the color range for the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 acquires position data for the color range areas that have been determined. The CPU 411 acquires position conditions (main object conditions) from ROM/HDD 413, and narrows the main object candidates to “sky, green, or people.” The CPU 411 finally determines the main object by comparing the position data of the color range color areas and the position conditions corresponding to the narrowed main object.

Abstract: A CPU 411 splits selected image data GD into a plurality of areas (pixel data groups), analyzing the image data GD in terms of area units, and determining the color range of the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 determines color range areas by associating adjacent areas of the same color range when determining the color range for the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 acquires position data for the color range areas that have been determined. The CPU 411 acquires position conditions (main object conditions) from ROM/HDD 413, and narrows the main object candidates to “sky, green, or people.” The CPU 411 finally determines the main object by comparing the position data of the color range color areas and the position conditions corresponding to the narrowed main object.

Abstract: A CPU 200 compares a luminance distribution characteristic of image data with a reference luminance distribution characteristic, and then confirms that the image data GD is a backlit portrait image data if similarity degree Sv between the luminance distribution characteristic of image data and the reference luminance distribution characteristic is larger than reference similarity degree Svref. The CPU 200 determines whether an outer dark portion ratio Do is larger than a reference dark portion ratio Doref. If the CPU 200 determines that the outer dark portion ratio Do is larger than the reference dark portion ratio Doref, then it determines whether an outer bright portion ratio Bo is larger than a reference bright portion ratio Boref. If the CPU 200 determines that the outer bright portion ratio Bo is larger than a reference bright portion ratio Boref, then it determines that the image data GD is image data of backlit portrait image.

Abstract: Image production record information related to image data is used to determine whether or not to execute a trimming process. Exposure program data and photograph scene data or subject area information, etc., are used as the image production record information.

Abstract: A decision as to whether to perform backlight adjustment processing is executed using both image data and image generation record information, and when it is decided to execute the same, backlight adjustment processing to increase brightness value of at least some pixels in the image data is executed.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus 10 analyzes image data to acquire picture quality characteristic values, and uses shooting information SI and image processing control information GI associated with the image data to define a scene correction condition and an arbitrary correction condition. The image processing apparatus 10 preferentially uses information from the image processing control information GI, while using [information] from the shooting information SI where this information is not present in the image processing control information GI, with the aim of effective mutual utilization of image processing control information GI and shooting information SI. The image processing apparatus 10 defines an automatic correction level AP on the basis of the acquired picture quality characteristic values, scene correction condition and arbitrary correction condition, and defines a manual correction level MP on the basis of a manual correction condition in the image processing control information GI.

Abstract: A CPU 200 analyzes inner region pixels IP and outer region pixels OP independently; compares an inner luminance distribution characteristic i.e. a luminance distribution characteristic regarding the inner region pixels IP with a reference inner luminance distribution characteristic regarding image data of a backlit image that is previously stored in a HDD 202; and thereby calculates an inner similarity Si. Similarity, the CPU 200 compares an outer luminance distribution characteristic i.e. a luminance distribution characteristic regarding the outer region pixels OP with a reference outer luminance distribution characteristic, and thereby calculates an outer similarity So. The CPU 200 then calculates a total similarity St by multiplying the calculated inner similarity Si by the outer similarity So. If the total similarity St is greater than a criterion similarity Stref, the CPU 200 judges the shot image to be a backlit image.

Abstract: A CPU 200 compares a luminance distribution characteristic of image data with a reference luminance distribution characteristic, and then confirms that the image data GD is a backlit portrait image data if similarity degree Sv between the luminance distribution characteristic of image data and the reference luminance distribution characteristic is larger than reference similarity degree Svref The CPU 200 determines whether an outer dark portion ratio Do is larger than a reference dark portion ratio Doref. If the CPU 200 determines that the outer dark portion ratio Do is larger than the reference dark portion ratio Doref, then it determines whether an outer bright portion ratio Bo is larger than a reference bright portion ratio Boref. If the CPU 200 determines that the outer bright portion ratio Bo is larger than a reference bright portion ratio Boref, then it determines that the image data GD is image data of backlit portrait image.

Abstract: A CPU 30 generates reduced image data for analytical use from the input image data, analyzes the generated analytical reduced image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and acquires R, G, B components of each pixel that constitutes the analytical reduced image data. By using the result of analysis of the analytical reduced image data, the CPU 30 decides a characteristic hue or a hue that characterizes the image data, decides a pixel area that corresponds to the decided characteristic hue, executes a frequency analysis of the analytical reduced image data through the use of e.g. a two-dimensional Fourier transformation, and extracts a texture of the pixel area that corresponds to the characteristic hue. The CPU 30 decides a shooting scene of the shooting image (image data) based on the acquired characteristic hue and the texture of the pixel area that represents the characteristic hue.

Abstract: Image production record information related to image data is used to determine whether or not to execute a trimming process. Exposure program data and photograph scene data or subject area information, etc., are used as the image production record information.

Abstract: A CPU determines whether or not a picked up image that corresponds to image data is a backlit portrait image by analyzing the image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and if the picked up image that corresponds to the image data is determined to be a backlit portrait image, then executes a brightness correction for backlit portrait image. The CPU obtains a tone curve that may have an output value of a predetermined value FV as an output value in response to an input value of a flesh-colored pixel average luminance value PV ave, which is an average luminance value of flesh-colored pixels of all pixels that constitute the image data. The CPU applies the tone curve to the luminance of every pixel in the image data and thereby executes the brightness correction.

Abstract: A CPU 200 determines whether or not a picked up image that corresponds to image data is a backlit portrait image by analyzing the image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and if the picked up image that corresponds to the image data is determined to be a backlit portrait image, then executes a brightness correction for backlit portrait image. The CPU 200 obtains a tone curve that may have an output value of a predetermined value FV as an output value in response to an input value of a flesh-colored pixel average luminance value PV ave, which is an average luminance value of flesh-colored pixels of all pixels that constitute the image data. The CPU 200 applies the tone curve to the luminance of every pixel in the image data and thereby executes the brightness correction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising an image quality control unit configured to execute a plurality of image quality control processing operations, a type determination unit configured to determine an image type among a plurality of image types in accordance with a feature of an image, and a selection screen generation unit configured to generate a selection screen used to select one of the plurality of image quality control processing operations to be performed on the image in accordance with the determined image type.

Abstract: Image data by which an image is represented with a plurality of pixels is acquired. A portion of the image data characterizing an artificial image is extracted from the image represented by the acquired image data in an artificial-image extracting procedure. The prescribed image processing is performed by excluding the image data of the portion extracted from the acquired image data in the artificial-image extracting procedure. In this manner, the image processing can be performed without being affected by the artificial image.

Abstract: When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM.

Abstract: When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM.

Abstract: When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM.

Abstract: Proper lightness correction is unavailable if a determination is unsuccessfully made whether or not an image to be retouched is a backlight image. A distribution ratio of luminance components is obtained from an image whose type is to be determined. The similarity is determined between the distribution ratio and a distribution ratio in the image of a specific type. When the similarity is acknowledged, it is determined that the image under inspection corresponds to the specific type. When a distribution ratio for backlight image is obtained in advance as the distribution ratio for the specific type of image, the above-mentioned determination process makes it possible to accurately determine whether or not the image under inspection is a backlight image.

Abstract: A CPU 411 splits selected image data GD into a plurality of areas (pixel data groups), analyzing the image data GD in terms of area units, and determining the color range of the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 determines color range areas by associating adjacent areas of the same color range when determining the color range for the areas of the image data GD. The CPU 411 acquires position data for the color range areas that have been determined. The CPU 411 acquires position conditions (main object conditions) from ROM/HDD 413, and narrows the main object candidates to “sky, green, or people.” The CPU 411 finally determines the main object by comparing the position data of the color range color areas and the position conditions corresponding to the narrowed main object.