A method includes obtaining, using at least one processor, an input image frame. The method also includes identifying, using the at least one processor, one or more regions of the input image frame containing redundant information. In addition, the method includes performing, using the at least one processor, an image processing task using the input image frame. The image processing task is guided based on the one or more identified regions of the input image frame. The method may further include obtaining, using the at least one processor, a coarse depth map associated with the input image frame. Performing the image processing task may include refining the coarse depth map to produce a refined depth map, where the refining of the coarse depth map is guided based on the one or more identified regions of the input image frame.