This example demonstrates the differences between the color mapping modes:
Linear color mapping |
 |
 |
| Exponential color mapping |  |
 |
| HSV exponential color mapping |  |
 |
| Intensity Exponential |  |
 |
| Gamma Correction |  |
 |
| Intensity Gamma |  |
 |
| Reinhard |  |
 |
As visible in the above images, the Linear mapping method clamps bright colors to white, causing bright parts of the image to appear "burnt out". Both the Exponential and HSV exponential modes avoid this problem. While the Exponential mode tends to wash out the colors and desaturate them, the HSV exponential mode preserves the color hue and saturation.