To remove a scratch noise without requiring excess operation for an operator by removing the noise from an image while using a soft noise mask.

A mask repair subimage R is provided by multiplying the soft noise mask to a repair subimage around a noise area selected by a user (S1). Next, the high-speed Fourier transformation (FET) of the mask repair subimage R is performed and its magnitude M2 and phase are calculated (S2). On the other hand, the high-speed Fourier transformation (FET) of a sample image S is performed and its magnitude M1 is provided (S7). Next, the minimum magnitude of magnitudes M1 and M2 is calculated (S3). Afterwards, inverse high-speed Fourier transformation (IFET) is performed while using the minimum magnitude and the output of the phase (S4) and clipping is performed while turning an input value to a real number (S5). Then, soft mask repair is performed by mixing the provided picture elements with the picture elements of the source repair subimage (S6).