Why does light on a surface look dimmer when intense light is cast on it?

[adjacent]

Why does a light cast on a surface look dimmer when a much intense light is cast upon it?

 

[Drakkith]

Can you be a little more specific? Are you talking about the difference in intensity between a light source and the reflected light from a surface, or is there more than 1 light source?

 

[adjacent]

I shined a light on a wall,for example.It looks OK.Then I shined another light on that wall exactly on that place.Now,the previous light looks more dim.Why?

 

[Drakkith]

That's the way your brain works. In some part, it bases the level of contrast off of the darkest and brightest areas in view.