Reinforcement Learning Based Dark Image Enhancement Through Color Feature Balancing

Image enhancement refers to the process of manipulating an image to improve the visual information it contains. Images can degrade due to various factors, such as operator incompetence or low-quality picture- recording devices. The degraded images exhibit color imbalance, unwanted noise, and hue saturation disparity, especially in dark images. Furthermore, any photograph taken in low-light conditions typically falls short of attaining the desired level of visibility and essential details of the image. Most image enhancement systems depend on a predetermined set of instructions. Deep learning approaches instruct and execute certain actions during training without knowledge of the properties of individual images. Insufficient knowledge occasionally leads to the distortion of images. Conversely, an agent that utilizes Reinforcement Learning (RL) can make decisions about which actions to perform based on the input image. In order to address the aforementioned challenges, we present a novel approach in this study that use Reinforcement Learning to enhance dark images. This method accurately emulates the sequential process employed by humans during retouching. Our reinforcement learning-based agent, similar to a human expert, aims to evaluate the present state of the image prior to making any decision. Upon conducting a comprehensive analysis, we have determined that our agent, which utilizes reinforcement learning (RL), has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in maintaining the authenticity and color equilibrium of dark images. In general, the experimental results demonstrate the outstanding efficacy of the proposed approach.