Image smoothing is a technique used in digital image processing to reduce noise and improve the visual quality of an image. It works by averaging the pixel values in a neighborhood around each pixel, which helps to eliminate sharp edges and unwanted variations in color or brightness. This process makes images appear softer and more visually appealing. There are various methods for image smoothing, including Gaussian blur and median filtering. Each method has its own advantages and is chosen based on the specific requirements of the image and the desired outcome. Smoothing is commonly used in applications like photography, medical imaging, and computer vision.