The article presents the latest trends in computer‐based human face recognition. First, methods of facial pattern representation intended to identify persons using frontal face images are introduced as well as recent studies in extending those methods by giving flexibility in terms of face orientation and view. The FERET face recognition project, which is one of the driving forces to promote robustness in face recognition technology, is considered. In addition, computer face recognition is treated as an element of media processing for content search and editing of visual databases, and studies in computer face recognition that model human cognition in the face recognition process are surveyed. Finally, the state of the art in extracting facial patterns from visual scenes is analyzed. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 30(10): 76–89, 1999