Image processing method and apparatus, integrated circuitry and recording medium for applying gain to a pixel

An image processing method comprising: receiving a first image signal representing a portion of a captured image with a first dynamic range; generating a second image signal using the first image signal: applying one of: a first gain to the brightness value of each pixel in the portion of the captured image represented by the first image signal having a brightness value less than a first threshold brightness value, the first gain serving to increase the brightness value of each pixel to which it is applied, and a second gain to the brightness value of each pixel in the portion of the captured image represented by the first image signal having a brightness value greater than a second threshold brightness value, the second gain serving to decrease the brightness value of each pixel to which it is applied; and after the application of the one of the first and second gains, performing a conversion process such that the brightness value of each pixel in the portion of the captured image represented by the first image signal becomes represented in the second format, thus forming the second image signal.