Influence of image file and white balance on photographic color assessment

Abstract

Statement of problemHow the color parameters obtained from digital photographs may be influenced by illumination, file format, and subject color is unclear. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate color differences (ΔE00) and CIELab color coordinates among different types of file formats of dental shade tab images with and without white balance. Material and methodsDifferent shade tab colors (n=10) were photographed with a digital camera under standard conditions. The photographs were stored in RAW, JPEG, and TIFF file formats and evaluated with and without white balance (WB) adjustment by using an image software program and a gray reference card with known color coordinates. CIEDE2000 color differences between each image file format and the control group (RAW WB) were calculated, and interpreted by the visual perceptibility (PT00=0.8) and acceptability (AT00=1.8) thresholds. The ΔE00 color shift was defined according to CIEDE2000 lightness, chroma, and hue and interpreted by the following respective visual acceptability thresholds: 2.92, 2.52, and 1.90. The differences among the color coordinates were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni post hoc tests (α=.05). ResultsThe color coordinates presented statistically significant differences between the file formats and control group (P<.001). Excellent matches (ΔE00 ≤0.8) were observed on TIFF and JPEG saved from RAW-WB. Images without WB presented unacceptable mismatches (ΔE00 >5.4). ΔE00 color shift of images without WB were predominantly influenced by ΔH00, while JPEG, WB, and TIFF WB were mostly influenced by ΔC00. ConclusionsOnly compressed JPEG or TIFF files of dental shade tabs derived from original RAW WB photographs were able to achieve color differences within the limits of the 50:50% perceptibility threshold, providing excellent color matches with the RAW WB files.