Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium

An image processing apparatus that performs processing of correcting the brightness of a captured image, comprising:

• a processor,
• wherein the processor is configured to perform operations including:
• acquiring a reference value to become a reference of brightness from a facial area of a human contained in the captured image;
• specifying a plurality of characteristics each defining a mode for brightness correction differing between exclusively divided three or more brightness ranges each being a brightness range including pixels of a predetermined number in the facial area of the human based on the acquired reference value;
• and
• performing processing of correcting the brightness of the facial area of the human by applying the specified characteristics,
• wherein
• the processor does not perform processing of correcting brightness on a first range of lowest brightness, and
• the processor performs processing of reducing or increasing brightness on a second range of second lowest brightness,
• wherein
• if the processor performs processing of reducing brightness on the second range, the processor performs processing of increasing brightness on a third range different from the second range, and
• if the processor performs processing of increasing brightness on the second range, the processor performs processing of reducing brightness on the third range.

An image processing apparatus that performs processing of correcting the brightness of a captured image, comprising:

• a processor,
• wherein the processor is configured to perform operations including:
• acquiring a reference value to become a reference of brightness from a facial area of a human contained in the captured image;
• performing processing of correcting the brightness of the facial area of the human by applying a characteristic determined based on the acquired reference value;
• and
• specifying a threshold for the acquired reference value used for specifying different characteristics of three types or more of correcting brightness, even if pixels of a predetermined number in the facial area of the human have the same value of brightness.

An image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus that performs processing of correcting the brightness of a captured image, the method comprising:

• acquiring a reference value to become a reference of brightness from a facial area of a human contained in the captured image;
• dividing the facial area of the human into multiple exclusive portions;
• specifying a threshold for brightness used for the division into the multiple exclusive portions based on the acquired reference value;
• and
• performing processing of correcting brightness in all the exclusive multiple portions by applying different correction modes,
• wherein the number of the portions divided exclusively is three or more, and specifying the threshold for brightness includes specifying a threshold for brightness used for division into at least two portions viewed from a lowest brightness side based on the acquired reference value,
• wherein
• processing of correcting brightness on a first portion which is divided and having lowest brightness is not performed, and
• performing processing of reducing or increasing brightness on a second portion which is divided and having second lowest brightness,
• wherein
• if processing of reducing brightness on the second portion is performed, performing processing of increasing brightness on a third portion different from the second portion, and
• if processing of increasing brightness on the second portion is performed, performing processing of reducing brightness on the third portion.

An image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus that performs processing of correcting the brightness of a captured image, the method comprising:

• acquiring a reference value to become a reference of brightness from a facial area of a human contained in the captured image;
• specifying a plurality of characteristics each defining a mode for brightness correction differing between exclusively divided three or more brightness ranges each being a brightness range including pixels of a predetermined number in the facial area of the human based on the acquired reference value;
• and
• performing processing of correcting the brightness of the facial area of the human by applying the specified characteristics,
• wherein
• processing of correcting brightness on a first range of lowest brightness is not performed, and
• performing processing of reducing or increasing brightness on a second range of second lowest brightness,
• wherein
• if processing of reducing brightness on the second range is performed, performing processing of increasing brightness on a third range different from the second range, and
• if processing of increasing brightness on the second range is performed, performing processing of reducing brightness on the third range.

An image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus that performs processing of correcting the brightness of a captured image, the method comprising:

• acquiring a reference value to become a reference of brightness from a facial area of a human contained in the captured image;
• performing processing of correcting the brightness of the facial area of the human by applying a characteristic determined based on the acquired reference value;
• and
• specifying a threshold for the acquired reference value used for specifying different characteristics of three types or more of correcting brightness, even if pixels of a predetermined number in the facial area of the human have the same value of brightness.