diff --git a/RELEASE-NOTES.txt b/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
index 0b6804af..ce3116dd 100644
--- a/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
+++ b/RELEASE-NOTES.txt
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@ _______________________________
 
 - True 64 bit HDR lighting with adaptive tone mapping
 
-	The used Reinhard operator adds a bit more contrast to the game and gives it a harder look.
-
 - Filmic post process effects like Technicolor color grading and film grain
 
 - Fixed issues with Mesa drivers and allowed them to use shadow mapping
diff --git a/base/renderprogs/postprocess.pixel b/base/renderprogs/postprocess.pixel
index 5db525c2..76f9ae87 100644
--- a/base/renderprogs/postprocess.pixel
+++ b/base/renderprogs/postprocess.pixel
@@ -47,14 +47,14 @@ struct PS_OUT
 
 #define USE_TECHNICOLOR						1		// [0 or 1]
 
-#define Technicolor_Amount					0.5		// [0.00 to 1.00]
+#define Technicolor_Amount					0.6		// [0.00 to 1.00]
 #define Technicolor_Power					4.0		// [0.00 to 8.00]
 #define Technicolor_RedNegativeAmount		0.88	// [0.00 to 1.00]
 #define Technicolor_GreenNegativeAmount		0.88	// [0.00 to 1.00]
 #define Technicolor_BlueNegativeAmount		0.88	// [0.00 to 1.00]
 
 #define USE_VIBRANCE						1
-#define Vibrance							0.75		// [-1.00 to 1.00]
+#define Vibrance							0.5		// [-1.00 to 1.00]
 #define	Vibrance_RGB_Balance				float3( 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 )
 
 #define USE_FILMGRAIN 						1
diff --git a/base/renderprogs/tonemap.pixel b/base/renderprogs/tonemap.pixel
index d2f913de..74129c30 100644
--- a/base/renderprogs/tonemap.pixel
+++ b/base/renderprogs/tonemap.pixel
@@ -100,14 +100,18 @@ void main( PS_IN fragment, out PS_OUT result )
 	
 #if 1
 	// advanced Reinhard operator, artistically desirable to burn out bright areas
-	float L = Yr * ( 1.0 + Yr / ( Ymax * Ymax ) ) / ( 1.0 + Yr );
+	//float L = Yr * ( 1.0 + Yr / ( Ymax * Ymax ) ) / ( 1.0 + Yr );
+	
+	// exponential tone mapper that is very similar to the Uncharted one
+	// very good in keeping the colors natural
+	float L = 1.0 - exp( -Yr );
 	color.rgb *= L;
 #else
 	// Uncharted 2 tone mapper but looks weird :(
 
 	//float exposure = ( hdrKey / hdrAverageLuminance ) * 0.2;
 	//float exposure = Yr * 1.0;
-	float exposure = 0.5;
+	float exposure = 1.0;
 	float3 exposedColor = exposure * color.rgb;
 	
 	float3 curr = Uncharted2Tonemap( exposedColor );
diff --git a/neo/renderer/RenderSystem_init.cpp b/neo/renderer/RenderSystem_init.cpp
index 7c7e98d1..b2ea2f17 100644
--- a/neo/renderer/RenderSystem_init.cpp
+++ b/neo/renderer/RenderSystem_init.cpp
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ idCVar r_ldrContrastThreshold( "r_ldrContrastThreshold", "1.1", CVAR_RENDERER |
 idCVar r_ldrContrastOffset( "r_ldrContrastOffset", "3", CVAR_RENDERER | CVAR_FLOAT, "" );
 
 idCVar r_useFilmicPostProcessEffects( "r_useFilmicPostProcessEffects", "1", CVAR_RENDERER | CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_BOOL, "apply several post process effects to mimic a filmic look" );
-idCVar r_forceAmbient( "r_forceAmbient", "0.2", CVAR_RENDERER | CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_FLOAT, "render additional ambient pass to make the game less dark", 0.0f, 0.4f );
+idCVar r_forceAmbient( "r_forceAmbient", "0.3", CVAR_RENDERER | CVAR_FLOAT, "render additional ambient pass to make the game less dark", 0.0f, 0.4f );
 // RB end
 
 const char* fileExten[3] = { "tga", "png", "jpg" };