An apparatus and method for separating a background image and an object image. The apparatus comprises an area specifying unit for specifying areas of the image. The area specifying unit specifies, in a first period-of time, an uncovered background area in which foreground object components and background object components are mixed. The area specifying unit specifies, in a second period of time, a foreground area consisting of only the foreground object components and a background area consisting of only the background object components. The area specifying unit specifies, in a third period of time, a covered background area in which the foreground object components and the background object components are mixed. A mixture-ratio calculator detects a mixture ratio indicating a ratio of the foreground object components and the background object components. A separator separates the pixel data into the foreground object components and the background object components based on the mixture ratio.