A method for increasing enhancing local contrast in a thermal image for a class of objects having a thermal characteristic is provided. The method including providing thermal image data representing a first thermal image, where the first thermal image is acquired by an absolute calibrated thermal imaging system, redistributing the thermal image data having a first intensity distribution into a second intensity distribution using a predetermined redistribution function, where the predetermined redistribution function is based on the thermal characteristic, such that the local contrast is enhanced for the class of objects, outputting the redistributed thermal image data as the thermal image. An apparatus for enhancing local contrast in a thermal image for a class of objects having a thermal characteristic is further provided.