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 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 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 . <EOS>