ISO/TR 19263-1:2017

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 19263-1
First edition
2017-03
Photography — Archiving systems —
Part 1:
Best practices for digital image
capture of cultural heritage material
Photographie — Systèmes d’archivage —
Partie 1: Meilleures pratiques pour la capture d’images numériques
du matériel de patrimoine culturel
Reference number
©
ISO 2017
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Analysis of image quality . 1
2.1 General . 1
2.2 Image quality characteristics. 1
2.3 ISO 19264 Test chart technical features . 2
2.4 Grid and gray/white features . 2
2.4.1 General. 2
2.4.2 Running scale features (cm and inches) . 3
2.4.3 Grayscale and running gray/white/black bar features . 3
2.4.4 Colour patch features . 3
2.4.5 MTF measurement features . 4
2.4.6 Additional ISO 19264 target features/reference data . 4
2.5 Additional targets . 4
2.6 Linear grayscale . 5
2.6.1 DCSG colour chart . 5
2.6.2 Limitations of Chart Based Imaging System Analysis . 5
3 Image quality levels . 6
4 Basic principles of image capture and processing . 6
4.1 Overview . 6
4.2 Scene referred and output referred image states . 7
4.3 User controls and readouts . 7
4.3.1 General. 7
4.3.2 Colour Processing Controls . 7
4.3.3 Exposure readouts . 8
4.3.4 Raw processor readouts and controls . 8
4.3.5 Other user controls . 8
4.3.6 Unwanted data modification . 8
4.4 Master images and derivatives . 8
4.4.1 General. 8
4.4.2 Raw image files. 8
4.4.3 Artwork reproduction cycle . 9
5 Imaging system setup and calibration .10
5.1 General .10
5.2 Position camera system .10
5.3 Establish uniformity-even illumination .10
5.3.1 General.10
5.3.2 Optional flat-fielding .10
5.4 Establish exposure .11
5.5 Establish tone reproduction curve (OECF) .11
5.6 Create an ICC colour profile .11
5.7 Analyse colour and tone .12
6 Application of image quality analysis .12
6.1 Selection of imaging systems: preflighting equipment or vendors .12
6.2 Using ISO 19264 target: Initial system configuration .13
6.3 Using ISO 19264 target: System performance evaluation (benchmarking) .13
6.4 Using ISO 19264 target: Ongoing performance monitoring .13
7 Technical metadata for image quality analysis .14
Annex A (informative) Linear Grayscale L* to RGB conversion table .15
Annex B (informative) Subjective interpretive imaging (aesthetics) .16
Bibliography .19
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment,
as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www . i so .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 42, Photography.
Introduction
Today digitization programs need to satisfy the demands of an interconnected dynamic user
community. A digitized image can be repurposed across any number of systems and therefore needs to
be well defined, technically robust and media agnostic. The digital image of an original is intended to
satisfy multiple uses including access, archiving, research, conservation, education, marketing, social
media, reproduction and distribution both in print and online.
Intended for organizations, such as cultural heritage institutions, ISO 19264-1 specifies a method for
analysing imaging systems where it is important to control the degree of accuracy and to ensure that
imaging quality is maintained over time. There are three common applications of ISO 19264-1:
a) imaging system performance evaluation (benchmarking) – used for system development and
system selection
b) imaging system performance optimization – used for tailoring the system to a particular job
(use case)
c) imaging system performance monitoring – used for controlling that the quality of the system
remains consistent and within specifications over time
The purpose of this document is to provide practical guidance on how to apply ISO 19264-1 for
cultural heritage imaging of two-dimensional originals. This includes how the image quality analysis
is performed, the function of technical target features, and how to adjust/optimize the performance
of imaging systems. Additionally this document illustrates how ISO 19264-1 can be used for selection
of appropriate imaging systems and how to establish and maintain image quality in digitization
workflows.
Annex B provides information related to developing a digitization strategy including assessment of
collections, developing a hardware strategy and system selection.
ISO 19262 provides definitions for imaging terminology used in this document and ISO 19264-1.
vi © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 19263-1:2017(E)
Photography — Archiving systems —
Part 1:
Best practices for digital image capture of cultural heritage
material
1 Scope
This document specifies
...