Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program

Abstract

A CPU 200 acquires image data of a photographed image, determines a specific subject area containing a specific subject in the photographed image, and calculates a specific subject characteristic value for representing a characteristic of image data corresponding to the determined specific subject area. CPU200 calculates a correction value for color balance correction using the calculated specific subject characteristic value and a preset characteristic target value, and executes the color balance correction on the image data using the calculated correction value

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 093,941, filed on Mar. 29, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to image processing, and particularly relates to art for color balance correction on image data.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Image processing called color balance correction for correcting changes in color according to the type of light source during imaging, is performed on image data generated by a digital still camera or a video camera. As a typical color balance correction method, methods are known for which the basic idea is to correct each color component so that the average color of the overall image becomes colorless (white or gray).[0006]By color balance correction, it is possible to reduce color seepage that occurs in images. For example, a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention is intended to address the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide image processing to execute color balance correction according to the subject and to improve the appearance of the subject in an image.

Problems solved by technology

However, aforementioned color balance correction performed on a portrait (human subject image) for which the overall background is a blue-tinged white, suppresses blue tints and emphasizes the red tints for the overall image, so the flesh color of the human subject which is the main subject becomes red-tinged, significantly distancing it from the desired color.

Thus, when using such conventional correction method, there is the risk of making an undesirable change to the color tone of a specific subject.

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