A total exposure time (TET) may be selected. A plurality of images of a scene may be captured using respective TETs that are based on the selected TET. At least two of the images in the plurality of images may be combined to form a merged short-exposure image. A digital gain may be applied to the merged short-exposure image to form a virtual long-exposure image. The merged short-exposure image and the virtual long-exposure image may be combined to form an output image. More of the output image may be properly-exposed than either of the merged short-exposure image or the virtual long-exposure image.