1. An automated, computerized method for processing an image, comprising the steps of: providing an image; organizing spatio-spectral information for the image in a matrix equation expressed by: [A][x]=[b], wherein [A] expresses values determined by a constraining relationship imposed upon the spatio-spectral information, [b] expresses recorded information for the image, and [x] expresses an unknown material/illumination component of the image; and utilizing the matrix equation in an image segregation operation.