Content adaptive detection of images having stand-out objects involves block variance-based detection and determining if an object includes a stand-out object. The images with a stand-out object are further processed to isolate an object of interest. The images without a detected stand-out object are further processed with a transition map-based detection method which includes generating a transition map. If an object portrait is determined from the transition map, then the image is further processed to isolate the object of interest.