A content-based image processing system and method are disclosed. The method includes automatically identifying whether an original image is a seascape. For an image which is identified as being a seascape, the method includes automatically assigning an enhancement class for the image, selected from a plurality of enhancement classes, the classes comprising a first enhancement class for sea landscape images and a second enhancement class for portrait images. The image is processed to generate an enhanced image. Where the image is assigned to the first enhancement class, this includes applying a first enhancement chain, which may include applying a polarizing filter. Where the image is assigned to the second enhancement class, the processing includes applying a second enhancement chain, which may include detecting regions corresponding to skin in the image and selectively applying local contrast enhancement to those regions corresponding to skin.