diff --git a/background_subtraction_heat.py b/background_subtraction_heat.py
index 62495b6..cdc4a34 100644
--- a/background_subtraction_heat.py
+++ b/background_subtraction_heat.py
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ from cv2util import to_8_bit_image
 from string import digits as DIGITS
 
 class BackgroundHeatmap:
-    def __init__(self, first_frame):
+    def __init__(self, first_frame, append_blur=True, learning_rate=0.0003):
+        self.append_blur = append_blur
+        self.learning_rate = learning_rate
         self.heatmap = np.array([])
         self.backsub = cv2.createBackgroundSubtractorMOG2()
         # self.backsub = cv2.createBackgroundSubtractorKNN()
@@ -20,7 +22,9 @@ class BackgroundHeatmap:
         #     ret, frame = self.cap.read()
         #     # self.backsub.apply(cv2.blur(frame,(5,5)))
         #     self.backsub.apply(frame)
-        self.lastframe = self.backsub.apply(cv2.blur(first_frame,(5,5))) # don't forget blur here if re applying blur
+        if self.append_blur:
+            frame = cv2.blur(first_frame,(5,5))
+        self.lastframe = self.backsub.apply(frame, self.learning_rate)
         self.lastsum = self.to_floats(self.lastframe)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -40,7 +44,9 @@ class BackgroundHeatmap:
         return cv2.applyColorMap(frame, cv2.COLORMAP_JET)
 
     def update(self, frame):
-        self.lastframe = self.backsub.apply(cv2.blur(frame,(5,5)))
+        if self.append_blur:
+            frame = cv2.blur(frame,(5,5))
+        self.backsub.apply(frame, self.lastframe, self.learning_rate)
         self.lastsum += self.to_floats(self.lastframe)
         self.heatmap = self.gray_to_heat(
             self.float_to_gray(