Techniques to optimize the ordering of image transformations. Ordering cost functions are applied to possible transformation orderings of image transformations of a user-selected transformation ordering. Computing costs are calculated based on the cost functions. An optimal transformation ordering is selected from the possible transformation orderings based on the computing costs. In one embodiment, a first transformation and a second transformation of the user-selected transformation ordering are swapped. In one embodiment, at least one of the ordering cost functions is based on a per-pixel cost value. In one embodiment, a fidelity loss threshold representing an acceptable level of difference between a first image resulting from the optimal transformation ordering and a second image resulting from the user-selected transformation ordering is determined. In one embodiment, selection of the optimal ordering transformation is based on satisfaction of the fidelity loss threshold.