What is image contrast primarily defined as?

Image contrast is primarily defined as the brightness between two areas in an image. This concept is crucial in evaluating and interpreting images, especially in fields such as radiology and photography. High contrast images feature areas with significant differences in brightness, making features stand out more distinctly. This ability to differentiate between light and dark areas enables viewers to identify important details and structures within the image.

While color differences, texture variation, and size differences can all play roles in how an image is perceived, they do not directly define contrast in the same fundamental way. Contrast specifically pertains to the brightness levels relative to one another, which affects the overall impact of the visual presentation and the clarity of the information conveyed. This characteristic allows for easier identification and analysis of important details that might otherwise be obscured in low contrast situations.