Unveiling Clarity in Hazy Images using the Dark Channel Prior Algorithm and Advanced Enhancement Techniques

In uneven lighting conditions, over-enhanced photographs may suffer from compromised effects when traditional histogram equalization is used. This work introduces an easy-to-use and effective image contrast enhancement method for achieving imaging using high dynamic range. Each pixel’s lighting is estimated first using an induced norm of a patch of the image and then the contrast of the light component is improved by applying a pre-gamma correction, with gamma correction values dynamically set based on the local image patch. Later on, for further contrast enhancement, the image is processed by using Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) technique with an autonomously set clip point. And also, a method using noise reduction on the local patch is developed to reduce picture noise and improve image quality. Lastly, the brighter areas of the image are preserved by using post-gamma correction. Experimental results, combining qualitative and quantitative evaluations, demonstrate that the proposed strategy outperforms several enhancement techniques.