A comparison of night vision simulation methods for video

Abstract

The properties of the human vision change depending on the absolute luminance of the perceived scene. The change is most noticeable at night, when cones lose their sensitivity and rods activate. This change is imitated in video footage using various tricks and filters. In this study, we compared 4 algorithms that can realistically simulate the appearance of night scenes on a standard display. We conducted a subjective evaluation study to compare the results of night vision simulation with a reference footage dimmed using a photographic filter to determine which algorithm offers the greatest accuracy. The results of our study can be used in computer graphics rendering to apply the most realistic simulation of night vision to the rendered night scenes or in photography to reproduce photographs taken at night as similar as possible to how the human eye would see them.