1. A method for modifying an input digital image having input dimensions defined by a number of input rows and input columns to form an output digital image where the number of rows or columns is reduced by one, comprising a) selecting either a horizontal seam direction to remove a row or a vertical seam direction to remove a column; b) determining an image energy map for the input image; c) defining a gradient threshold; d) determining a seam path responsive to the image energy map, where the seam path is constrained such that a directional image gradient computed in a direction perpendicular to either the seam path or the seam direction is less than the gradient threshold for each pixel in the seam path; and e) determining an output digital image by removing pixels along the seam path; wherein the method is performed at least in part using a data processing system.