Gamma Correction and Tone Reproduction in Scanned Photographic Images

Richard Patterson

Gamma has slightly different meanings in photography and video, and the convergence of these two technologies in digital imaging has produced some confusion regarding the concept of gamma-corrected values in digital image files. This article reviews the concept of gamma as a means of quantifying one characteristic of an imaging system and examines the rationale for using gamma correction in scanned photographic images. It suggests one way in which gamma correction can he incorporated into a procedure for standardizing the relationship between digital file values and densities on color negatives.

Print ISSN
Published
1994-06
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J09669