Improved algorithm for image haze removal based on dark channel priority

An improved algorithm is proposed for image haze removal based on dark channel priority to avoid the color distortion of haze removing about sky, white cloud or bright areas. The improved algorithm is mainly reflected in the following two aspects. One is the refined atmospheric transmittance of the hazy images with non-sky obtained using guided filter. The other is that the atmospheric transmittance of the hazy images with the sky, white cloud or the bright areas is estimated by a variety of classified statistics for haze-free outdoor images with non-sky or the haze-free outdoor images with sky. Compared with He algorithm, the weakness of atmospheric transmission of the hazy images with the sky, white cloud or the bright areas is remedied. Experimental results show that the improved algorithm is efficient to image haze removal.