A method and apparatus for extracting a face feature to construct a face search system having a high recognition rate are provided. The method includes calculating an average image of each of a plurality of candidates having one or more face images to which different weights are given according to an order in which the face images are acquired and calculating a total average image of all face images of the plurality of candidates, calculating a between-class scatter matrix based on a difference between each candidate's average image and the total average image and a within-class scatter matrix based on a difference between each candidate's average image and each candidate's predetermined face image of the one or more face images, and generating a base vector that maximizes a criterion defined by a ratio between the between-class scatter matrix and the within-class scatter matrix.