How to adjust RGB values to make an image brighter?

Method 1: Simply scale pixel components Must “clamp” to range, e.g. [0..1] or [0..255] Method 2: Blend pixels with black or white Remains in valid range by construction.

Intuitively, increase contrast: Mid-level pixels remain unchanged. Dark pixels get darker. Light pixels get lighter. Preserve average luminance. • Decrease contrast: push all pixels towards average luminance.



At every pixel: compute luminance L from RGB, then set RGB to (L,L,L)
Function originally accounting for nonlinearity in cameras and displays

$$ I_{out}=I_{in}^\gamma $$
\gamma depends on camera and monitor.
Decrease / increase color saturation of every pixel Interpolate / extrapolate between original image and grayscale version of it