IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM

In a first image processing apparatus, a digital image signal representing an image before being subjected to shutting light processing, and an unsharp image signal representing an unsharp mask image used for shutting light processing are formed. The unsharp image signal is obtained from the digital image signal. Compression processing is performed on the digital image signal to form a compressed digital image signal. Compression processing is also performed on the unsharp image signal, thereby forming a compressed unsharp image signal. The compressed digital image and unsharp image signals are stored on a storage medium, and then delivered to a second image processing apparatus. In the second image processing apparatus, the compressed digital image and unsharp image signals are reproduced from the storage medium, and decompression processing is performed on the compressed digital image and unsharp image signals to obtain decompressed digital image and unsharp image signals. Shutting light processing is then performed in the second image processing apparatus by using both the decomposed digital image and unsharp image signal.