Comprehensive Fast Tone Mapping for High Dynamic Range Image Visualization

In this paper, we present a comprehensive tone reproduction curve based operator for the fast visualization of high dynamic range images. Image reproduction is a highly subjective process and different users will have very different preferences even for the same image. Therefore, a really useful tone-mapping tool for high dynamic range images should be fast and interactive, with which users can interactively adjust the mapping parameters and instantly visualize the results. Furthermore, there should be as few adjustable parameters as possible, and equally important, the parameters should have a clear, intuitive and straightforward relationship with the appearance of the mapped images to guide the users to adjust the parameters. Based on these requirements, we have developed a comprehensive tone reproduction curve based mapping technology. Our technique has two intuitive variables, which can be adjusted at an interactive speed even for very large images. One parameter controls the overall brightness of the reproduction and the other adjusts the detail and contrast 1 of the result. A piece of easy to use high dynamic range image visualization software that implements our operator is publicly available.