1. An image correction, comprising: a memory for storing the image information; an image subdivision means for subdividing the original image formed in the memory into a plurality of image areas; a histogram forming means for creating a histogram showing the frequency distribution of lightness for pixel contained in each of the subdivided image areas; a lightness calculation means for calculating the average lightness of each of said subdivided image areas; a mapping curve means for generating a mapping curve from said histogram based on information relating to the calculated average lightness and on information relating to an image scene recorded in said original image; and a lightness conversion means for correcting the lightness of the pixels constituting the image based on said mapping curve.