Measuring the perception of light inconsistencies

In this paper we explore the ability of the human visual system to detect inconsistencies in the illumination of objects in images. We specifically focus on objects being lit from different angles as the rest of the image. We present the results of three different tests, two with synthetic objects and a third one with digitally manipulated real images. Our results seem to agree with previous publications exploring the topic, but we extend them by providing quantifiable data which in turn suggest approximate perceptual thresholds. Given that light detection in single images is an ill-posed problem, these thresholds can provide valid error limits to related algorithms in different contexts, such as compositing or augmented reality.