Methods for mapping an image from a first dynamic range to a second dynamic range are presented. The mapping is based on a function that includes two spline polynomials determined using three anchor points and three slopes. The first anchor N point is determined using the black point levels of the input and target output, the second anchor point is determined using the white point levels of the input and target output, and the third anchor point is determined using mid-tones information data for the input and target output. The mid-tones level of the target output is computed adaptively based on an ideal one-to-one mapping and by preserving input contrast in both the blacks and the highlights. An example tone-mapping transfer function based on third order (cubic) Hermite splines is presented.