I was astonished when I first saw the possibilities of what is called optical feedback in a presentation. I mean that you’re actually be able to create fractals without a computer, even in realtime! You just need a video camera, a monitor and a mirror.
Since I’m a software guy, I immediately thought of reproducing these effects in software. It should be possible to capture the current image of the screen and render it smaller, possibly rotated and mirrored to the same screen, thus creating a feedback loop.
It actually turned out to be quite simple and effective using OpenGL.
In the following I present some screenshots created using my program. The program actually creates dynamic effects that can be modified in realtime.
There is no download of the program yet – be patient, it will be “done when it’s done” ;-).
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- basic
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- basic rotated
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- b/w escher-esk
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- infinity noise
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- b/w woodcut
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- neon
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- smooth pythagoras
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- sierpinski triangles
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- b/w fractal 2
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- overkill 4
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- fireworks
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- checkmate
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- ascending
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- botanic experiment 4
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- recycled infinity
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- neon flowers
Interesting video feedback links: