Image processing apparatus utilizing light distribution characteristics of an electronic flash

An image processing apparatus for obtaining image data for outputting, by carrying out predetermined image processing of image data, comprising:

• photographing information obtaining means that obtains photographing information including light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash and the photographing distance of a camera;
• image separating means that separates said image into a main subject image portion and a background image portion;
• computing means that reads the light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash corresponding to the photographing distance to each of the main subject image portion and the background image portion, which have been separated from each other by said separating means, and computes a light amount adjusting amount of each of said main subject image portion and said background image portion on the basis of the light distribution characteristics thereof;
• correcting means that corrects each of said main subject image portion and said background image portion on the basis of the light amount adjusting amount which has been computed by said computing means;
• and
• combination means that combines said main subject image portion and said background image portion which have been corrected by said correcting means.

A method for obtaining image data for outputting, by carrying out predetermined image processing of image data, comprising:

• obtaining light distribution characteristics of an electronic flash, corresponding to a photographing distance;
• determining the light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash, and computing a light amount adjusting amount of the image on the basis of said light distribution characteristics read;
• and
• correcting the image on the basis of the light amount adjusting amount which is computed by said computing means.

A method for obtaining image data for outputting, by carrying out predetermined image processing of image data, comprising:

• obtaining photographing information including light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash and the photographing distance of a camera;
• separating said image into a main subject image portion and a background image portion;
• computing determining the light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash corresponding to the photographing distance to each of the main subject image portion and the background image portion, which have been separated from each other, and computing a light amount adjusting amount of each of said main subject image portion and said background image portion on the basis of the light distribution characteristics thereof;
• correcting each of said main subject image portion and said background image portion on the basis of the light amount adjusting amount which has been computed;
• and
• combining said main subject image portion and said background image portion which have been corrected by said correcting means.