These images are generated by evaluating and interpreting the 1997 music video “Mo Money Mo Problems” from the first disc of the Notorious B.I.G. album, Life After Death. The algorithm detects edges in the image and attempts to trace motion from frame to frame, using the initial frame as their starting point. The output is rendered as a vector image, the curves represent the motion. The points represent the pixels detected in the edge, their size determined by the distance from their previous location, the further, the larger the circle. The color and location of the points are determined by the corresponding pixel in that frame. The bright colored track suits worn by Puff Daddy and Mase in the dark backgrounds make for good tracking and nice color combinations. The only imagery added manually is the background color. You can check out some more renders in the Mo Money Mo Problems photoset on flickr.

Puff Daddy Dancing with Mase in the black tunnel.

Puff Daddy Dancing with Mase in the black tunnel.

Much of the detail in the above image is lost. So here is a detail.

I was also able to print this render out at 24″ x 36″ on photo paper on a large format printer. I am intrigued by the zoomed in close up and may get that printed as well.

Some other renders.

You can check out some more renders in the Mo Money Mo Problems photoset on flickr. Made with the amazing open source C++ library OpenFrameworks.