Adapting iterative retinex computation for high-dynamic-range tone mapping

Abstract

Retinex algorithms have been widely applied in many aspects of image processing. Based on the iterative Retinex algorithm, we propose an edge-preserving illumination estimation method. Inspired by the anisotropic diffusion, an edge-stopping function is introduced in the iterative computation. This modification enables the preservation of abrupt edges when computing the upper envelope of a given image. Based on the illumination-reflectance decomposition, a high-dynamic-range (HDR) radiance map can be easily tone-mapped to be a low-dynamic-range image by compressing the range of the estimated illumination. Artifacts are effectively suppressed using the proposed method. Meanwhile, we also propose a jumping-spiral iteration manner to improve the symmetry of the edge response. Experimental results show that the proposed tone mapping algorithm is very effective in reproducing HDR scenes, and has a better performance compared with some similar operators. (c) The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.