Abstract: A proposed wavelet-based dynamic range compression algorithm is used to improve the visual quality of digital images captured in the high dynamic range scenes with non-uniform lighting conditions. The fast image enhancement algorithm which provides dynamic range compression preserving the local contrast and tonal rendition is a very good candidate in aerial imagery applications such as image interpretation for defense and security tasks. This algorithm can further be applied to video streaming for aviation safety. In this paper the latest version of the proposed algorithm which is able to enhance images so that the enhanced images are better than direct human observation, is presented. The results obtained by applying the algorithm to numerous images show strong robustness and high image quality.

Keywords: Enhancement, Wavelet based enhancement, Low contrast.