The optimum reproduction of high-contrast motifs in digital imaging technology is limited owing to the limited dynamic range of present-day image sensors. The reproduction of high-contrast motifs is intended to be improved using active pixel image sensors. The sensitivity of the sensor pixels is adapted, controlled in an analogous manner to the blurred brightness distribution in the motif, to ensure that the dark and bright image regions of the motif are also reproduced, well illuminated, without any loss of detailed contrast. This results in a particularly natural and balanced image impression. This method may be used in numerous fields for digital image processing.