A Color Image Database for Haze Model and Dehazing Methods Evaluation

One of the major issues related to dehazing methods (single or multiple image based) evaluation is the absence of the haze-free image (ground-truth). This is also a problem when it concerns the validation of Koschmieder model or its subsequent dehazing methods. To overcome this problem, we created a database called CHIC (Color Hazy Image for Comparison), consisting of two scenes in controlled environment. In addition to the haze-free image, we provide 9 images of different fog densities. Moreover, for each scene, we provide a number of parameters such as local scene depth, distance from the camera of known objects such as Macbeth Color Checkers, their radiance, and the haze level through transmittance. All of these features allow the possibility to evaluate and compare between dehazing methods by using full-reference image quality metrics regarding the haze-free image, and also to evaluate the accuracy of the Koschmieder hazy image formation model.