Underwater imaging based on inhomogeneous illumination

Underwater imaging systems using homogeneous illumination or a laser generate strong backscattering close to the detector, yielding low visibility. This paper considers an underwater imaging system based on inhomogeneous illumination, so that the intensity distribution is related to the light attenuation pattern. It is shown via pool and sea experiments to be effective in decreasing back-scattering within a wide field-of-view (FOV), which improves image contrast. This results in enhanced interpretability and perception of information in images for human viewers, and/or automated image processing techniques.