A method of processing an image based upon edge energy is disclosed. The method comprises providing (100) an edge map (540) for a group of pixels, classifying (100, 110, 120) pixels in the group as either smooth region pixels or edge region pixels, identifying (120), in the group of pixels, a pixel in the proximity of an edge region pixel, and defining (160) the identified pixel as a ringing noise pixel if the identified pixel is a smooth region pixel.