How many sample images for each object do you need to train your model?

To effectively train a model for object detection or image classification, having a sufficient number of sample images is crucial for achieving reliability and accuracy. The recommendation of at least fifteen sample images for each object is designed to allow the model to learn a diverse set of features and variations associated with each category. This diversity in training images helps the model generalize better, making it less likely to overfit to specific examples.

Having at least fifteen images encourages a broader representation of potential variations in lighting, angles, backgrounds, and object appearances, which is essential for robust training. This number strikes a balance, allowing the model to learn effectively without requiring an excessively large dataset that could complicate the training process and demand more computational resources.

While fewer images might suffice in very controlled environments or specific applications, the guideline of fifteen represents a more standard approach in practical machine learning applications, ensuring that the model is adequately trained to recognize and differentiate between objects in a variety of real-world conditions.