This work presents a novel method to estimate angular positions and angular velocities of rotating structures using edge detection with background subtraction. While non-contact methods have been proposed to measure the angular position and velocity of a rotating structure, there is an initial stage of physical interaction with the structure where a distinguishing feature is fixed on the structure’s surface that facilitates object detection and tracking via image processing techniques. The algorithm described in this work eliminates this step of physical interaction and maintains zero physical contact before, during, and after measurements are performed. The methodology is established using an experimental setup comprised of a horizontally fixed ceiling fan that mimics a three-bladed wind turbine. Laboratory experiments are conducted by using the proposed algorithm to measure the angular velocity of the fan at its high, medium, and low speed settings. A rotary encoder is used to measure the fan’s angular velocities and the data is compared to that of the proposed algorithm for validation. The lab-based methodology is extended for use outside a controlled environment, and simulations are performed on videos of large-scale wind turbines to demonstrate the algorithm’s performance and limitations when used in various environmental settings.