Processing for Live Video

Finally I did some processing works which have similar effects with the linear image work for still images. The most different point is the new processing I did capturing video through webcam, not just still images. Which means I can use it in the show to make it live! At the same time, the webcam can capture people walking around which is a kind of the another dimension behind the office window in my pictures —- the interior.

Here are some screenshots from the three processing works.

Here are two images from works in two scales, one is 4 another is 12.

ScreenShot of window01(scale=4)

==========code===================
import processing.video.*;

int videoScale = 4;

int cols, rows;
Capture video;

void setup() {
size(800,600);

cols = width/videoScale;
rows = 1;
video = new Capture(this,cols,rows,30);
}

void draw() {
if (video.available()) {
video.read();
}
background(0);

video.loadPixels();

for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < rows; j++) {

int x = i*videoScale;
int y = j*videoScale;
color c = video.pixels[i+j*video.width];
fill(c);
noStroke();
rect(x,y*2,videoScale+1,height);
}
}
}

screenshot of window02(scale=12)

The below two are created for simulating effect of the office window which I took. One has the same colours as the webcam captured, another one looks like in a dark background, which is good for express the things behind window in night.

screenshot of window01

screenshot of brightness01

============CODE===========================
import processing.video.*;

int videoScale = 10;
int cols, rows;
Capture video;

void setup() {
size(800,600);
cols = width/videoScale;
rows = (height/videoScale)/2;
smooth();
video = new Capture(this,cols,rows,15);
}

void draw() {
if (video.available()) {
video.read();
}
background(0);

video.loadPixels();

for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < rows; j++) {

int x = i*videoScale;
int y = j*videoScale;

int loc = (video.width – i – 1) + j*video.width;

color c = video.pixels[loc];

float sz = (brightness(c)/255.0)*videoScale;
rectMode(CENTER);
fill(c);
noStroke();
rect(x + videoScale/2,(y + videoScale/2)*2,sz,sz*2);

}
}
}

Tim Head

Andy suggested me to contact Paul Coldwell whose research has common points with mine. He is very kind and recommended several artists to me. Tim Head’s recent artworks are interesting and similar with mine.

Treacherous Light 2000 by Tim Head

Treacherous Light 2000 by Tim Head

“Treacherous Light 2000 is a projection in which each pixel of the computer screen has been enlarged to become a distinct visual element. He describes this process: ‘The work explores certain features of electronic space, specifically the digital space generated on screen by a computer program. It attempts to isolate some of the intrinsic properties of this electronic space stripping it down to certain prime elements to carry a raw skeletal electronic message. Attention is focused on the peculiar and unique physical properties of the digital medium itself and specifically on the computer-generated array of light-emitting pixels that form the illusive fabric of the screen’s surface.’ [5] Colours are randomly generated (from a palette of over 16,000,000 colours) at the edges of the screen and then move, pixel to pixel, across the image, both horizontally and vertically. The work is ‘live’ – not pre-recorded or looped – and takes place in real time in front of us, never repeating itself. It resembles a vast kaleidoscope, or veils of colour which move past each other in an indeterminate space. Close up, the process is clearly visible and the sensation of movement is strong. At a few metres distance the image becomes a swarming amorphous mass. Areas of colour and density coalesce and disperse before it is possible to fix our attention on them. From further back it is a pale grey, still rectangle of light.”—- from his website

Each enlarged pixel makes of a simple pale grey, it’s a kind of complicated simplicity, isn’t it?

13.05.10 Tutorial Feedback

Here is the feedback of tutorial today. I think it’s positive.

Pathway: (MA) Digital Arts

 Name:   Hong Zhang                                          Date: 13.05.2010

Issues discussed/Subject:

•     I took several pictures of buildings and put them in processing to simplify them.  Andy said they were interesting. The complexity of buildings which were under construction is external, but the working space behind the glass of buildings has another meaning of complexity which is three dimensional. Andy suggested me to carry on and add deep thinking about it.
•    In Symposium 2, I was proposed to think about the dialogue between audience and my work.  In my understanding, I tried to make a connection, such as making a live project to transfer the images captured by a webcam to a simplified moving image, like the processing work I’ve done. I am still trying to figure it out through processing, hope it can work.

 

Comments/Notes

•  I need to walk away from my work, and try to understand how audience understand my project. Will they understand what I am trying to express through my show?
•   Add deep thinking about the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional complexity, contact Paul Coldwell, and ask him about the surface and behind surface.
•     Clarify my understanding of complexity.
•      Plan my time.

 Name of Tutor: Andy Stiff

a few more images

Here are some images I edited from several photos I took these days. They are from some buildings under construction and some new buildings with lots of glass. And they are in a long simple scroll, looks interesting.

 
 &video

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&video

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&video

a few photos and processing

I took the photos from a construction site. These steel bars were covered by the white cloth which made them look better. The location where I took the pictures was not good, and I am still looking for other places.
Then I use Processing to convert the first image into a digital linear video. I don’t know how to upload the java applet, so I export it as still images, here is two of them.

 

Here is another photo I used in processing.