This is why I used to like working on my old DOS systems better than Windows.
In my DOS applications (Word and Lotus 1-2-3), the background color was BLACK. The old orange on black was so much easier on the eyes than the WHITE background of the Windows apps. In Windows apps trying to look like a piece of paper, it was an egronomic step backwards.
When I calibrated my monitor, I had to turn the white level down, to something my eyes could stand.
The issue wasn't looking at photos, the issue was the HUGE white spaces in Word, Excel and many web sites.
Unfortunately, most monitors do not have a normal/bright switch, to easily turn down the monitor for normal apps, and turn it up for photos and video. I have only seen ONE monitor with such a switch. That was a Sony CRT, about 15 years ago.