Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A photographic printing method for printing a film image onto photographic paper by estimating the color temperature of a subject illuminant, and by changing, in correspondence with the color temperature estimated, a degree of correction of the image density in which an improper color balance occurs in color reproduction with a change in the color temperature of the subject illuminant. By changing the degree of correction in correspondence with the estimated color temperature, it is possible to allow the hues of the subject illuminant to be reflected on the prints. In addition, it is also possible to change the degree of correction in correspondence with the light-source-color information indicative of the photographer's intent in expressing the hues of the original scene. Furthermore, the light quality of the subject illuminant can be estimated from data on the date and time of photographing, a photographed district, a light value at the time of photographing, and information indicative of whether or not an electronic flash was used at the time of photographing, and print exposure amount can be determined in correspondence with the light quality estimated. In addition, by estimating the light quality of the subject illuminant and by determining an average image density from image densities of a plurality of frames photographed under a subject illuminant having specific light quality, it is possible to determine print exposure amount by using the average image density as a reference density.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim