An automatic image combining apparatus comprising: an input unit arranged to receive a first image obtained by shooting a subject with light applied thereto, from a first lighting device, in a first oblique direction with respect to the subject, to receive a second image obtained by shooting the subject with light applied thereto, from a second lighting device, in a second oblique direction with respect to the subject, the second oblique direction being opposite to the first oblique direction with respect to the subject, and to accept information on the subject and a shooting device; a blend pattern generating unit arranged to calculate and find, based on the accepted information, a ratio Z for determining a proportion in combining of the first image and the second image for each pixel whereby the blend pattern generating unit calculates a point b at which an angle of incidence of light from the first lighting device to the subject is equal to an angle of reflection of light from the subject to the shooting device and a point c at which an angle of incidence of light from the second lighting device to the subject is equal to an angle of reflection of light from the subject to the shooting device, b and c being abscissa coordinate values on the image plane and the ratio Z allowing a gradual transition from the first image to the second image from b toward c; an image blending unit arranged to obtain a third image combined by adding the first image multiplied by the ratio Z and the second image multiplied by 1-Z for each pixel; and an output unit arranged to output the third image. an input unit arranged to receive a first image obtained by shooting a subject with light applied thereto, from a first lighting device, in a first oblique direction with respect to the subject, to receive a second image obtained by shooting the subject with light applied thereto, from a second lighting device, in a second oblique direction with respect to the subject, the second oblique direction being opposite to the first oblique direction with respect to the subject, and to accept information on the subject and a shooting device; to receive a first image obtained by shooting a subject with light applied thereto, from a first lighting device, in a first oblique direction with respect to the subject, to receive a second image obtained by shooting the subject with light applied thereto, from a second lighting device, in a second oblique direction with respect to the subject, the second oblique direction being opposite to the first oblique direction with respect to the subject, and to accept information on the subject and a shooting device; a blend pattern generating unit arranged to calculate and find, based on the accepted information, a ratio Z for determining a proportion in combining of the first image and the second image for each pixel whereby the blend pattern generating unit calculates a point b at which an angle of incidence of light from the first lighting device to the subject is equal to an angle of reflection of light from the subject to the shooting device and a point c at which an angle of incidence of light from the second lighting device to the subject is equal to an angle of reflection of light from the subject to the shooting device, b and c being abscissa coordinate values on the image plane and the ratio Z allowing a gradual transition from the first image to the second image from b toward c; an image blending unit arranged to obtain a third image combined by adding the first image multiplied by the ratio Z and the second image multiplied by 1-Z for each pixel; and an output unit arranged to output the third image.