In an image processing device (1), when receiving image data transferred
from, for example a digital camera through an image input section (11),
the region division section (13) divides the image data into a plurality
of blocks having optimum sizes according to a degree of a similarity
between density histograms of the blocks. A contrast enhancement section
(14) obtains an optimum clip value per divided block and then obtains a
density conversion curve based on the density histogram of the block
including a target pixel by using the clip value in order to perform the
density conversion for all of the pixels optimally. The image data that
have been enhanced in contrast are compensated by a read compensation
section (15) according to a property of a printing device (3) and then
printed on a paper sheet.
