Gradient domain high dynamic range compression

Raanan Fattal, Dani Lischinski, Michael Werman
2002 ACM Transactions on Graphics  
We present a new method for rendering high dynamic range images on conventional displays. Our method is conceptually simple, computationally efficient, robust, and easy to use. We manipulate the gradient field of the luminance image by attenuating the magnitudes of large gradients. A new, low dynamic range image is then obtained by solving a Poisson equation on the modified gradient field. Our results demonstrate that the method is capable of drastic dynamic range compression, while preserving
more » ... ine details and avoiding common artifacts, such as halos, gradient reversals, or loss of local contrast. The method is also able to significantly enhance ordinary images by bringing out detail in dark regions. Keywords: digital photography, high dynamic range compression, image-based rendering, image processing, signal processing, tone mapping Previous work In the past decade there has been considerable work concerned with displaying high dynamic range images on low dynamic range dis-1 All of the images in this paper are provided at full resolution on the proceedings CD-ROM (and also at
doi:10.1145/566570.566573 fatcat:qlmd3xrbavdtfhgpeeuzimxhde