A method of image enhancement comprising: constructing an input histogram corresponding to an input image received at a focal plane array, the input image comprising a plurality of pixels and the input histogram representing a pixel value distribution corresponding to the input image; performing histogram equalization on a first band of the input histogram starting from a zero value and ending at a division value representing a pixel bin value where a predetermined fraction of the input histogram by pixel count is reached to produce a first portion of an equalization curve, wherein performing histogram equalization on the first band includes using a cumulative distribution function for the first band, wherein the cumulative distribution function is normalized over an entirety of the input histogram such that it is normalized over all of the plurality of pixels; performing histogram equalization on a second band of the input histogram starting from the division value and ending at a pixel bin value where all of the input histogram by pixel count is reached to produce a second portion of the equalization curve, wherein performing histogram equalization on the second band includes starting a new cumulative distribution function at the division value, wherein the new cumulative distribution function is normalized over only the second band of the input histogram such that it is normalized over only pixels corresponding to the second band; and scaling at least one of the first portion of the equalization curve and/or the second portion of the equalization curve to connect and smooth the first and second portions (120, 122) of the equalization curve at the division value to complete the equalization curve, wherein completing the equalization curve provides an enhanced equalization curve; and applying the enhanced equalization curve to the input image to produce a corresponding enhanced image. constructing an input histogram corresponding to an input image received at a focal plane array, the input image comprising a plurality of pixels and the input histogram representing a pixel value distribution corresponding to the input image; performing histogram equalization on a first band of the input histogram starting from a zero value and ending at a division value representing a pixel bin value where a predetermined fraction of the input histogram by pixel count is reached to produce a first portion of an equalization curve, wherein performing histogram equalization on the first band includes using a cumulative distribution function for the first band, wherein the cumulative distribution function is normalized over an entirety of the input histogram such that it is normalized over all of the plurality of pixels; performing histogram equalization on a second band of the input histogram starting from the division value and ending at a pixel bin value where all of the input histogram by pixel count is reached to produce a second portion of the equalization curve, wherein performing histogram equalization on the second band includes starting a new cumulative distribution function at the division value, wherein the new cumulative distribution function is normalized over only the second band of the input histogram such that it is normalized over only pixels corresponding to the second band; and scaling at least one of the first portion of the equalization curve and/or the second portion of the equalization curve to connect and smooth the first and second portions (120, 122) of the equalization curve at the division value to complete the equalization curve, wherein completing the equalization curve provides an enhanced equalization curve; and applying the enhanced equalization curve to the input image to produce a corresponding enhanced image.