Machine learning?

[Turing'sEgo]

Unfortunately there is a steep learning curve when it comes to understanding machine learning. It is typically a junior or senior level elective in cs programs. To fully understand it, it requires a working knowledge of many advanced math topics, such as operational calculus to statistics. On top of that, if you want to develop youre own algorithm, it takes a skilled programmer (or even team).

That being said, there are lbraries out there that do all the heavy lifting for you. Opencv has the most traditional algorithms you'd hit in an undergrad computer vision class, and some of the algorithms are machine learning based (like cascade classifier). Then you can have entire frameworks dedicated to one algorithm: neural networks. More specifically deep learning.

This isn't to discourage you. I love machine learning abd am lucky I get to do it everyday at my job let me know if you have any questions.