5. Image enhancement: contrast enhancement, part I

Image enhancement techniques have been widely used in many applications of image processing where the subjective quality of images is important for human interpretation. Contrast is an important factor in any subjective evaluation of image quality. Contrast is created by the difference in luminance reflected from two adjacent surfaces. In other words, contrast is the difference in visual properties that makes an object distinguishable from other objects and the background. In visual perception, contrast is determined by the difference in the colour and brightness of the object with other objects. Our visual system is more sensitive to contrast than absolute luminance; therefore, we can perceive the world similarly regardless of the considerable changes in illumination conditions. Many algorithms for accomplishing contrast enhancement have been developed and applied to problems in image processing.

In this lecture we will talk about contrast enhancement. Linear and non-linear transformation functions such as image negatives, logarithmic transformations, power-law transformations, and piecewise linear transformations will be discussed. Histogram process and histogram of four basic grey-level characteristics will be introduced.

http://www.uttv.ee/naita?id=20095 

http://youtu.be/zqwjxPEO5Pw?list=UU-ETlxdihAaw8Pn6_Zz10lg

Read the attached documents for further information.