| abstract |
The present invention comprises a face area detection means for detecting a face area of a person from original image data, a skin information extraction means for extracting skin information equivalent to the detected face area, a first image processing means for performing a sharpening operation or a granulation control operation on the detected skin area, and a second image processing means for performing a sharpening operation or a granulation control operation on at least data of areas other than the skin area, which is different in intensity from the sharpening operation or the granulation control operation by the first image processing means. The present invention separates the skin area from the other areas of a photographic subject and subjects these areas to respective appropriate sharpening operations at high speeds. |