1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving motion data, wherein the motion data comprises multiple images captured of an object over a period of time; generating a motion history map from the received motion data; defining a plurality of points within the motion history map, wherein: each point of the plurality of points corresponds to a point in time, the plurality of points are positioned within the motion history map and aligned with a shape stored prior to when the multiple images are captured, the shape inscribed within the boundaries of the motion data, and a quantity of the plurality of points is based, at least in part, on a size of the shape; sampling the motion history map at the plurality of points; determining that the object is performing a gesture corresponding to the shape based on the sampled motion history map by, for each point of the plurality of points, comparing a time associated with the sampled motion history map at that point with an expected time for that point; and controlling an application at least partially based on determining that the object is performing the gesture.