Techniques are provided for unsupervised training of a neural network to perform compression of a high dynamic range (HDR) image. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes performing global tone mapping on an HDR training image to generate a low dynamic range (LDR) training image. The method also includes applying the neural network to the HDR training image and the LDR training image to generate a delta image representing image detail lost in the global tone mapping operation. The method further includes summing the delta image with the LDR training image to generate an output training image, and generating a loss function calculated from a weighted sum of a contrast loss and a compression loss. The contrast loss is based on the output training image and the HDR training image, and the compression loss is based on the output training image and the LDR training image.