Before this reading, I thought that computer vision was complicated and I was not sure how it worked at all. After reading, I was surprised to learn the techniques used to help the computer see and track what we are interested in have a simple explanation. The reading mentioned multiple techniques like frame differencing, background subtraction, and object tracking. The one I found most intriguing though was the brightness thresholding, which can differentiate things based on how dark or light it is. LimboTime was an example of that, where two people extend their arms towards each other and the computer makes a line. The third person then tries to limbo under that line and if they go over it the computer rings the alarm. At first glance, the photo examples of the game looked complicated but after learning it was because they placed a white background, which allowed the computer to detect any darker pixels as players, it sounded much simpler. It reminded me of the way green screen works and how the computer uses that to easily separate the person or object from the background.
Thus, computer vision differs completely from human vision because computers just see pixels and because of that cannot always differentiate between things. We can easily see something even if the background is messy, but a computer would struggle because it needs its techniques like brightness thresholding and contrast. This explains why the remove background feature in the editing website I use sometimes is not always accurate to how I want it. One thing though, is the computer can be more precise with movement and detection if the technique is perfected. For example, in the dark we cannot see, but the computer could with infrared lighting, which is why security cameras are so common with their ability to detect movement like the Ring camera.
To answer the final question, I think computer vision’s capacity for tracking and surveillance is quite interesting and interactive but also uncomfortable. The example of Videoplace looked really fun and interactive to have the participant BE the art with their silhouette and movement. It funnily reminded me of Just Dance. The reason why I say uncomfortable is because of the multiple examples shared in the reading, but especially the Cheese installation. Because the participant knows they are being tracked, they feel more self-conscious. It does not feel like they are participating in the art like Videoplace, but being controlled to act a certain way or in this specific example, to keep smiling. Overall, this reading taught me that computers are able of making art with the help of human interaction, pixel movement and detection, and lighting.