Systems and methods for implementing a multi-step image recognition framework for classifying digital images are provided. The provided multi-step image recognition framework utilizes a gradual approach to model training and image classification tasks requiring multi-dimensional ground truths. A first step of the multi-step image recognition framework differentiates a first image region from a remainder image region. Each subsequent step operates on a remainder image region from the previous step. The provided multi-step image recognition framework permits model training and image classification tasks to be performed more accurately and in a less resource intensive fashion than conventional single-step image recognition frameworks.