Gradient domain high dynamic range compression

TLDR

The paper introduces a new method for rendering high dynamic range images on conventional displays. The method attenuates large luminance gradients and solves a Poisson equation on the modified gradient field, yielding a low dynamic range image while remaining conceptually simple, computationally efficient, robust, and easy to use. Results show drastic dynamic range compression that preserves fine details and avoids artifacts such as halos, gradient reversals, or loss of local contrast, and also enhances ordinary images by revealing detail in dark regions.

Abstract

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 fine 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.