To perform local change in a picture characteristic in an image.

A photograph image data position reliance correcting method is the method for correcting dependence on the position of photograph image data which expresses the image having a plurality of image elements. Then image data decides a color value to the image elements and at least one image characteristic. The method is provided with a step for deciding a correction mask having a plurality of correction elements based on photograph image data to be corrected, assigning the correction elements to the image elements and deciding correction change corresponding to the change of at least one image characteristic with respect to picture data corresponding to the image elements by the correction elements and a step for applying the correction mask to the image data and changing image data in accordance with the correction elements.