Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a dynamic image mask for improving image detail in a digital image. An electronic representation of an image is scanned. A dynamic image mask is generated from the electronic representation of the image. The dynamic image mask has sharp edges which are representative of rapidly changing boundaries in the original image and blurred regions in less rapidly changing areas. The dynamic image mask can be applied to the electronic representation of the original image to improve image detail by altering the image contrast and the grayscale contrast.