Overbright

Overbright refers to a phenomenon where a light source is perceived as excessively bright, often to the point of being uncomfortable or dazzling. This can occur due to a high luminous intensity from the source or a contrast with a darker environment. In photography and videography, overbright areas in an image are often referred to as "blown out" or "clipped highlights," indicating that the detail in the brightest parts of the scene has been lost due to overexposure. This can be caused by the limitations of the recording medium's dynamic range, meaning it cannot capture the full range of light from the darkest to the brightest parts of a scene.

The perception of overbright can be subjective and depend on individual sensitivity to light, as well as ambient lighting conditions. In lighting design, care is taken to avoid creating overbright situations that can cause glare and discomfort for people. This often involves using diffusers, indirect lighting, or controlling the intensity of light sources. In astronomy, particularly when observing celestial objects near bright stars or other light sources, overbright can obscure fainter details. Techniques like masking or using specialized filters are employed to mitigate this issue. The term is also used in discussions about screen brightness, where a display set too high can appear overbright and strain the eyes.