An image processing apparatus comprises a processing unit configured to provide an image containing a first object and a second object, with a lighting effect from a virtual light source, a setting unit configured to set a parameter of the virtual light source; and a designating unit configured to designate the first object and/or the second object, based on a user's operation, wherein, in a case in which the designating unit has designated at least one of the first object and the second object, the first object and the second object are provided with an effect of virtual light from a same direction, and in a case in which the designating means has not designated any object, the first object and the second object are provided with an effect of virtual light from different directions.