diff --git a/iris/gui/controller.py b/iris/gui/controller.py
index e52901d..393bdad 100644
--- a/iris/gui/controller.py
+++ b/iris/gui/controller.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class IrisController(QtCore.QObject, metaclass=ErrorAware):
     status_message_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(str)
 
     raw_data_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(object)
-    averaged_data_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(object)
+    averaged_data_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(object, bool)
     powder_data_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(object, object)
 
     time_series_signal = QtCore.pyqtSignal(object, object)
@@ -168,7 +168,8 @@ def display_raw_data(self, timedelay_index, scan):
         )
 
     @QtCore.pyqtSlot(int)
-    def display_averaged_data(self, timedelay_index):
+    @QtCore.pyqtSlot(int, bool)
+    def display_averaged_data(self, timedelay_index, autocontrast=False):
         """
         Extract processed diffraction pattern.
 
@@ -176,6 +177,8 @@ def display_averaged_data(self, timedelay_index):
         ----------
         timedelay_index : int
             Time-delay index.
+        autocontrast : bool, optional
+            Whether or not the contrast of the image should be adjusted.
 
         Returns
         -------
@@ -204,7 +207,7 @@ def display_averaged_data(self, timedelay_index):
                 out=self._averaged_data_container,
             )
 
-        self.averaged_data_signal.emit(self._averaged_data_container)
+        self.averaged_data_signal.emit(self._averaged_data_container, autocontrast)
         self.status_message_signal.emit(f"Displaying data at {timedelay:.3f}ps.")
 
     @QtCore.pyqtSlot()
@@ -475,7 +478,7 @@ def load_dataset(self, path):
         self.processed_dataset_loaded_signal.emit(True)
         self.powder_dataset_loaded_signal.emit(is_powder)
 
-        self.display_averaged_data(timedelay_index=0)
+        self.display_averaged_data(timedelay_index=0, autocontrast=True)
         if is_powder:
             self.display_powder_data()
         else:
@@ -494,7 +497,7 @@ def close_dataset(self):
         self.processed_dataset_loaded_signal.emit(False)
         self.powder_dataset_loaded_signal.emit(False)
 
-        self.averaged_data_signal.emit(None)
+        self.averaged_data_signal.emit(None, True)
         self.powder_data_signal.emit(None, None)
 
         self.status_message_signal.emit("Dataset closed.")
diff --git a/iris/gui/data_viewer.py b/iris/gui/data_viewer.py
index 6b85956..2762235 100644
--- a/iris/gui/data_viewer.py
+++ b/iris/gui/data_viewer.py
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ def _update_roi_bounds_text(self, rect):
         self.roi_bottomright_text.setPos(y2, x2)
         self.roi_bottomright_text.setText(f"({y2},{x2})")
 
-    @QtCore.pyqtSlot(object)
-    def display(self, image):
+    @QtCore.pyqtSlot(object, bool)
+    def display(self, image, autocontrast=False):
         """
         Display an image in the form of an ndarray.
 
@@ -132,16 +132,16 @@ def display(self, image):
         ----------
         image : ndarray or None
             If None, the display is cleared.
+        autocontrast: bool, optional
+            If True, the image contrast will be adjusted
         """
         if image is None:
             self.image_viewer.clear()
             return
 
-        # autoLevels = False ensures that the colormap stays the same
-        # when 'sliding' through data. This makes it easier to compare
-        # data at different time points.
-        # Similarly for autoRange = False
-        self.image_viewer.setImage(image, autoLevels=False, autoRange=False)
+        self.image_viewer.setImage(
+            image, autoLevels=autocontrast, autoRange=autocontrast
+        )
         self.update_timeseries_rect()
 
     @QtCore.pyqtSlot(object, object)