A method and apparatus for processing an image are provided. A processor is configured to detect a region of at least one object from the image, define a plurality of straight lines approximating a boundary of the detected region of the at least one object, and based on the number of points at which each of the plurality of first straight lines coincide with the boundary, extract first image data for a polygonal region. The polygonal region has vertexes at a plurality of first intersection points at which the plurality of straight lines intersect each other. Second image data may be generated by correcting distortion of the first image data. A storage unit stores the second image data, which may also be displayed or transmitted.