What is Gamma Correction? - Video Tech Explained

Hi all! This is a new style of content I haven't done before, please let me know what you think in the comments!

I'm planning a few more videos in this style.

== Links ==

[Dstonephoto]

I cannot imagine how much work went into researching and condensing all of this. Thank you for doing this. Dope explanation. It’s surprisingly hard to find comprehensive information on this topic. You have the magic touch!

[gespertino]

Hi. I love your videos, you put a lot of work on them and they are very concise and informative.
However, there is a fundamental mistake in this one you probably might want to revisit.
Gamma correction is a curve applied to "cancel" the curve from a gamma-encoded image. Our non-linear perception is the reason for the encoding, not the correction. We want to see the images in ratios as close to the ratios present in the capture image as possible. And that means that our eyes will have to receive light in the same ratios the camera "saw".
If all digital images were 32-bit float images, gamma correction wouldn't exist, as cameras would capture and store linearly, and displays shouldn't have to apply any curve to them.
But since we're still using 8-bit integer images a lot, computers need a way to store them in that precision. Linear won't cut it, because of our non-linear perception: our eyes are more sensitive to shadows, and 128 levels of brightness for the darker parts of the image won't be enough to represent a smooth gradient, you'll se a lot of banding.
So, images have to be accommodated to allocate more bitdepth for the shadows, leaving less precision for lighter parts, the ones we have less sensitiity to.
That's gamma encoding, and that's the bending gamma correction cancels.
You have all the pieces there in your video, but the leading idea is unfortunately wrong

[entropydefined]

This was the most concise and understandable explanation of what gamma actually is and does. Thank you for not over complicating it!

[petermeinhart]

your work is insane, I'm in this rabbit hole for quite a while
and your videos help so much!

[jarkkolaiho]

Very well done. Every other gamma curve explanation I've seen has neglected some aspect (capture tech, display tech, human eyesight) of the gamma curve topic, so definitely learned some new stuff here today.

[testcams]

FYI: @5:02, The curves appear to be labeled backwards, presuming these are meant to represent inverse gamma curves (ie, 1/2.2, 1/2.4, and 1/2.6). The horz vs vert scales look a little off as well.

[danrpalmer]

I almost never comment on videos but I couldn't not do so here. This is one of the best tutorial videos I've ever seen breaking down a complex, somewhat esoteric topic into an understandable format to folk who have little or no prior experience in the domain. You've earned yourself a subscriber, and if you have a link to send a few bucks to you or a charity of choice, please feel free to reply with a link.

Thanks for this superb content.

[xxhamedxx]

I barely get overwhelmed! But this video is pure gold!
Very well explained!
And you my man, you have a bright future in front of you cause you can't explain things that properly unless you have both the knowledge and intelligence!

[zhenkunwang]

Thank you so much! that explained everything. My understanding is
1. Human eye's light sensitivity is lower than that of the camera's. (ex. 50% light in camera is about 25% in human eye)
2. Gamma Correction, is a process that uses a mathematical model to match the digital screen light levels to that of the human eye's.
3. As the result, Gamma correction evenly distribute the light level across a digital screen which appears to be natural lighting to the human eye.

[RuminInLove]

Awesome video, got more here in 8 minutes than I ever could in hours on various forums talking about gamma.

[averinmarkstroem]

Great job dude! Watched maybe a dozen videos on the topic and this was by far the beat one! :) keep up the great work

[EliasReda]

Great job explaining it, this is probably the only video I watched that knew how to explain it with important details without getting lost in them.

[alish]

I've learned SO SO much from this singular video. Amazing job man.

[yeahright]

Such a well-thought-out script. Brilliant video!

[walterarlenhenry]

This is an extremely helpful, and remarkably well-constructed lesson. I confess to having been confused about this subject in the past, and now it is making sense to me. Looking forward to watching more of your stuff.

[jacjacmtl]

That's the best video about Gamma correction I've ever seen. Very good job!

[glenwoodfin]

Thank you! I had no idea what gamma correction was; now I'm starting to understand its application.

[subaquariamusic]

You're clearly very knowledgeable on this subject and are great at explaining the technical aspects in an understandable way. Just learned a lot. Thank you!

[yohanesstefanus]

I learn a lot from this video, even though I'm not working in creative Industry

[camryhsalem]

You explain Very complex subject in an excellent way you are talented Man