Enhancement of Images Under Low Light Conditions Using Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Images taken in low light conditions do not contain all the information well-lit images contain. Various features including the colours of objects, details and the quality are lost. Extracting these features from images is very important for any kind of application of it. This study proposes a model to enhance the features of the image taken under low light conditions, by delivering a solution which improves the quality of the image through Artificial Intelligence. Through the proposed method, the clarity of the image is improved, making it closer to a well-lit image equivalent. Both Image Processing and Deep Learning based techniques are explored, including Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based generative models. The Generative models considered are Autoencoders (AE) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). The study has been carried out by using several datasets combined together, which include image pairs of well-lit and low light images. A comparison between the two CNN-based generative models is carried out. Through the study, it is quantitatively found, by the Structural Similarity Index and supported by the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, that the proposed CNNbased Autoencoder model overrides the proposed CNN-based GAN model. This is further supported by qualitative observations of the image results. Both models, however, greatly enhance the low light images, bringing to light features that were not visible beforehand, and also provide results with good colour accuracy. Through this research study, the methods and solutions to enhance low light images have been addressed, as well as providing a comparison between two suitable models, Autoencoders and GANs. The proposed solution is able to address many of the limitations existing in the extent literature.