I found the reading, which breaks down computer vision and its applications in art, to be interesting; however, I have some opinions. I totally agree that computer vision has expanded from military and law enforcement applications to more creative fields like art and gaming. This shift is really exciting as it creates numerous opportunities for artists and programmers to explore and innovate. Also, I found it interesting in the reading when it shows how beginners can make computers “see” by using basic methods like frame differencing or background subtraction, which increases accessibility to the technology.
However, I feel the reading is somewhat overly positive regarding the capabilities of computer vision in “seeing” things. It’s known that computers can track objects and people, but the reading doesn’t highlight enough how much more challenging it is for computers to grasp what they’re observing compared to humans. Humans, for instance, may easily understand a chaotic scene, whereas computers frequently require specific conditions, such as bright light and different objects and background contrast.
The reading reminded me of the game Just Dance. The game tracks your movements while you dance using computer vision technology. It’s enjoyable, but it doesn’t always hit the mark. If your room lacks sufficient light or the camera isn’t positioned just right, the game may struggle to accurately track your movements, which can be quite frustrating. I think the reading should focus more on how computer vision struggles in imperfect situations, even though technology has the potential to produce amazing interactive experiences.
Finally, the reading points out worries regarding the potential use of computer vision for tracking and surveillance purposes. This is something to keep an eye on. It’s enjoyable and imaginative in gaming and artistic pursuits, but it has the potential to invade personal privacy. In general, the reading could have presented a more balanced view by discussing the downsides more and not just highlighting the positives; however, I found it to be interesting when it was breaking down the computer’s vision in a way I hadn’t thought about before.