This document provides an introduction to digital image processing. It defines a digital image as a finite set of digital values representing a 2D image. Digital image processing focuses on improving images for human interpretation and processing images for machine perception. The document traces the history of digital image processing from the 1920s to its widespread use today. It provides examples of applications in fields like enhancement, medicine, mapping, inspection, law enforcement and human-computer interfaces. Finally, it outlines the key stages of digital image processing systems including acquisition, restoration, processing, analysis and compression.