Inverse tone mapping based on luminance zones is provided. A digital image can be obtained and luminance values of pixels of the digital image can be determined. One or more values of luminance zone boundaries can be determined. A zone expansion exponent map based on the luminance values and the one or more luminance zone boundaries can be determined. The one or more luminance zone boundaries divide the zone expansion exponent map into a plurality of luminance zones. The luminance values of the image can be inverse tone mapped based on the zone expansion exponent map. An expanded dynamic range image can be provided based on the inverse tone mapped luminance values.