Certain embodiments provide a method and system for enhancing visualization of an image acquired with a handheld ultrasound scanner by automatically adjusting the image to optimize the color and contrast. The method may include performing, by a probe of an ultrasound system, an ultrasound scan to acquire ultrasound scan data. The method may also include detecting, by a sensor, lighting conditions. The method may include measuring, by a processor of the ultrasound system, a characteristic of the detected lighting conditions. The method may also include selecting, by the processor, a color map based on the measured characteristic. The method may include applying, by the processor, the selected color map to the acquired ultrasound scan data to generate processed ultrasound scan data.
