An image processing apparatus executes color balance correction of an
image composed of multiple pixels. The image processing apparatus
comprises a representative value calculation unit and a correction
processor. The representative value calculation unit calculates, based on
signal values of the pixels included in a skin tone area that includes
pixels indicating human skin within the image, a representative value
representing hue and chroma of the pixels included in the skin tone area.
The correction processor executes color balance correction of the image
using execution correction amount set based on normal correction amount
obtained by multiplying a difference between the representative value and
an ideal value designated as a value representing ideal hue and chroma of
human skin by a reduction coefficient. The value of the reduction
coefficient is set such that the value of the reduction coefficient can
vary in response to the representative value.