What effect does the Bloom post-processing effect create in an image?

The Bloom post-processing effect enhances the visual aesthetics of an image by creating fringes of light around bright areas. This effect simulates the way intense light sources can cause a halo or glow in real life. Bloom is often used in games to convey a sense of brightness and realism, particularly in lighting scenarios where there are bright objects like the sun, explosions, or glowing magical effects.

By implementing this effect, developers can evoke a more immersive experience, highlighting key elements within the scene. The light emanates from bright pixels and creates a soft, glowing appearance that contrasts with the surrounding darker areas, which enhances visual depth and interest. This technique is particularly effective in fantasy and sci-fi contexts, where magical or futuristic elements benefit from an ethereal quality.

The other potential effects mentioned, such as darkening shadow regions or applying overall blurriness, do not accurately describe the Bloom effect's purpose or visual outcome within the context of image processing. Bloom distinctly emphasizes brightness and light rather than diminishing shadow clarity or sharpening details across the image.