The present invention proposes to provide methods, apparatus and systems for inverse tone mapping of a high dynamic range image. The method may include the operations of obtaining a luminance component of the high dynamic range image. The method may further include determining an HDR to HDR inverse tone mapper operator. The method may further include determining a tone expanded image by applying the HDR to HDR inverse tone mapper to the luminance component of the high dynamic range image. The method may further include wherein the HDR to HDR inverse tone mapper curve comprises a linear part for dark and mid-tone levels, and an expanding non-linear part for highlights. The system or apparatus may be configured to perform the operations of the method.