Gamma is a measurement that describes the brightness and contrast of a display monitor or the midtone brightness of a digital image. Adjusting gamma affects the midtones while preserving detail in both highlights and shadows, allowing for more balanced and natural-looking images.
In image editing, gamma sliders are used to fine-tune exposure and tonal reproduction without overexposing bright areas or losing detail in dark regions. For monitors, a gamma setting of around 1.8 is typical for Mac displays, while 2.5 is often more appropriate for PCs. Understanding gamma helps photographers and digital artists achieve accurate image rendering and consistent visual results across devices.