Tone mapping for image capture may include accessing a first image detected using an image sensor; accessing an exposure parameter (exposure duration, or time, multiplied by ISO or gain) used to detect the first image; scaling pixel values of the first image by a scale factor inversely proportional to the exposure parameter to obtain a scaled image; determining a scene luminance based on an average of pixel values of the scaled image; determining a target luminance based on the scene luminance; determining a target histogram based on the target luminance; determining a first histogram of luminance values of the first image; determining a transfer function based on the first histogram and the target histogram; applying the transfer function to pixel values of the first image to produce a tone mapped image; and storing or transmitting an output image based on the tone mapped image.