IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM

An image region dividing section (105) partitions each of input images into a small regions, and a small region synthesized image generation section (106) generates a base image of each small region, which is an image including only diffuse reflection, from each input image. An image interpolation section (107) generates by interpolation a base image of a small region of which base image cannot be generated. A linearized image generation section (103) generates a linearized image, which is an image in an ideal state under given lighting condition, using the base image of each small region.