An image (300) comprising a plurality of image elements defined by a first set of vectors in a first color space is enhanced by calculating a principal component transform from the image elements (step 830). The image (300) is converted (step 310) to a second color space such as HSI wherein the image elements are defined by a second set of vectors having an intensity component. A principal component value is calculated for each of the image elements using the principal component transform, and the intensity component of the second set of vectors is replaced (step 840) with the principal component value to produce an enhanced image. The enhanced image may be converted back to the first color space for display on a suitable display device.