In a method and apparatus for dynamics compression in images or signal series represented by individual amplitude values, input amplitude values EA of the images or signal series are subjected to a local spatial amplitude averaging, to generate locally spatially averaged input amplitude values . Differential function values are then formed based on differences between the input amplitude values EA and the locally spatially averaged input amplitude values , and output amplitude values AA of the images or signal series are generated from the formed differential function values. In forming the differential function, additional differential values are superimposed on the differences formed from the input amplitude values EA and the locally spatially averaged input amplitude values , which additional differential values are formed from the input amplitude values EA and a predefined reference value GA.