Analysis of angular reading distortions of photographic images

Background: Although photogrammetry is a widespread technique in the health field, despite of the methodological efforts distortions in the angular readings of the images are common. Objective: To measure the error of angular measurements in photo images with different digital resolutions in an object with pre-determined angles. Method: We used a rubber ball with 52 cm in circumference. The object was previously marked with angles of 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees degrees. The photographic records were performed with the focal axis of the camera perpendicular and three meters away from the object, without the use of optical zoom and a resolution of 3, 5 and 10 Megapixels (Mp). All photographic records were stored and a previously trained experimenter using the computer program Image J analyzed the angular values of each photo. The measurements were performed twice within a fifteen-days interval. Subsequently, we calculated the accuracy, relative error and error in degrees values, precision and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results: When analyzing the angle of 10 degrees, the average accuracy of measurements was higher for those records of 3 Mp resolution compared to 5 and 10 Mp resolutions. The ICC was considered excellent for all resolutions. With regards to the analyzed angles in photographic records, it was possible to verify that the 90-degree angle photographs were more accurate, had lower relative error and error in degrees, and were more precise, regardless of image resolution. Conclusion: The photographs records that were taken with a 3 Mp resolution provided great accuracy and precision measurements and lower errors values, suggesting to be the proper resolution to generate image of angles of 10 degrees and 30 degrees.