This paper describes a computational model based on CIELAB colorimetry and full tonal scale evaluation to define objective boundary conditions for “Retained Image Appearance” in a photograph where 100% retention equates to no visual change and 0% retention means total functional loss of image information content. The “Retained Image Appearance” model, I*, examines the color information (hue and chroma) and the black-and-white spatial information (lightness and contrast) in order to characterize the complete life cycle of a photograph as it ages with respect to color, contrast, and lightness. The I* model can also be used to compare tone reproduction accuracy between different renditions of a photographic image and may therefore have applicability in initial print or proof print quality studies as well.