Friday, August 2, 2024

Jz Aamir: The Best Light Calligraphy Artist in the World

 Introduction

Light calligraphy is a mesmerizing art form that combines the elegance of traditional calligraphy with the modern techniques of light painting. Among the talented artists in this field, Jz Aamir stands out as the best light calligraphy artist in the world. With his innovative approach and stunning creations, Jz Aamir has captivated audiences globally and left an indelible mark on the world of art.

Early Life and Inspiration

Jz Aamir's journey into the world of calligraphy began in his childhood in Pakistan. Fascinated by the beauty of Urdu calligraphy, he spent countless hours practicing the art with bamboo pens and wooden boards. His passion for calligraphy continued to grow, and after moving to Dubai, he discovered the unique technique of light calligraphy, blending his love for traditional calligraphy with his interest in photography.

Unique Techniques and Style

Jz Aamir's light calligraphy is a true testament to his mastery and creativity. He employs long exposure photography to create intricate calligraphic designs in mid-air using customized LED lights. This process requires meticulous planning and execution, as Jz Aamir writes in reverse to ensure the final image appears correctly. Unlike many digital artists, his work is produced straight out of the camera without any Photoshop editing, showcasing his exceptional skill and precision.



Major Achievements

Jz Aamir's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned brands such as Facebook, Apple, Sony, Honda, Huawei, Du Telecom, and Global Village. His talent has been recognized globally, earning him the title of "Featured Artist of the Year 2018" on Instagram. One of his notable projects involves writing the 99 Names of Allah with light, a demonstration of his dedication to blending artistic expression with cultural and spiritual significance.

Impact and Influence

Jz Aamir's work transcends cultural boundaries, creating a bridge between the past and the present. By integrating ancient calligraphy techniques with modern technology, he has inspired a new generation of artists and calligraphers. His workshops, lectures, and live performances have further amplified his influence, spreading the art of light calligraphy to audiences around the world.

Client Testimonials and Media Coverage

Clients and collaborators consistently praise Jz Aamir for his professionalism and the breathtaking quality of his work. His art has been featured in various publications and media outlets, highlighting his unique contributions to the field of light calligraphy. Articles on platforms like Islamic Arts Magazine and The National celebrate his innovative techniques and the cultural significance of his creations.

Visual Gallery










Conclusion

Jz Aamir's unparalleled talent and dedication make him the best light calligraphy artist in the world. His ability to merge traditional calligraphy with contemporary techniques has set him apart in the art community. As he continues to innovate and inspire, Jz Aamir's work will undoubtedly remain a beacon of creativity and cultural fusion.

Call to Action

Explore more of Jz Aamir’s incredible work by visiting his website and following him on Instagram. Share this post to spread the word about the extraordinary art of light calligraphy.



Saturday, December 19, 2015

PhotoFriday - Light Calligraphy Shoot






Ok so let's talk about how I achieved this, There were multiple elements involved in getting this results as per the client's request.

- Location
- Light Calligraphy Style
- Font Color

- Location
GPP ( Client ) requested to have a backdrop of Dubai either modern with skyscrapers or the traditional Dubai culture. So my assistant and I went out to look for a suitable location a week before the shoot. We went through several location as seen in the pictures below.

First stop: Marina Beach with beautiful view of Dubai Marina skyscrapers in the background

2nd stop: Maydan bridge, the lights of the bridge were off when we visited that place so this location was a no go.

3rd stop: Heritage village with wind towers in the background


4th stop: Baktakiya, An ideal location for the background that goes well with Arabic calligraphy


We did a sample shoot in Dubai Marina but I didn't work out the way we expected as seen in the photos below, There were not enough reflections on the ground and It looked like Photoshop work.


First Shoot - Dubai Marina - Didn't work out the way we expected.

So we decided to head to Bastakiya and shoot there. Since it needed the permission to shoot so we waited the permission letter from the Dubai govt. Unfortunately we didn't get the permission to shoot. But we decided to head out there anyway and try our luck.

Location scouting - Bastakiya

On the day of the shoot, we went there early to scout the location and take some sample shots, Since tripod is not allowed without permission. We try to avoid using the giant tripod and kept the camera on mini tripod using elevated space around Bastakiya. 

Sample shoot - Bastakiya - The lighting conditions were not suitable for light calligraphy

After several tries and regular visits of the security guards around the area. We realised that it's almost impossible to shoot without permission. We had no choice but to head out to another location where there's no problem to shoot without permission. Next stop: Heritage Village.

When we reached there we found out that most of the area was closed down for renovation and there were barricades in almost all the areas where we thought we could shoot.

Luckily we met one of the security guards in the area and he suggested the elevated space from where we can shoot as it was the same place where other people try to shoot. We thought of giving it a try. When we reached there and Wola, The beautiful view of the heritage village welcomed us.

A beautiful view of Dubai Heritage village from an elevated location.
0.6 seconds - F8 - ISO 400 - 24mm (Canon 6D - 24-105mm f/4 USM lens)

Now the real problem was if we place a camera on tripod, there was not enough space for me to write "PhotoFriday". The only solution was that I climb the building in front of it with my lights to leave enough gap with the camera and myself. 

I normally write the calligraphy in one go and try to avoid using Photoshop for any reason to keep my work as it was shot. But after writing "PhotoFriday" in one go we realised that there was not enough time for me to finish the words without overexposing the background.

The solution was to get multiple exposure from the same location and later merge them into one using Photoshop. 

First Shot: The background as you can see on the photo above. 

2nd Shot: Writing the word "Photo" using Yellow LED light and not worrying about the background getting overexposed. 
32 seconds - F22 - ISO 400 - 24mm (Canon 6D - 24-105mm f/4 IS USM lens)

3rd Shot: Writing the word "Friday" using Yellow LED light and not worrying about the background getting overexposed. 
70 seconds - F22 - ISO 400 - 24mm (Canon 6D - 24-105mm f/4 IS USM lens)


I had the results I was looking for and I informed the GPP as well, It was time to head home and combine the images into one to complete the photo.

First Step: Opening all the 3 photos in Photoshop and keep the background image as the bottom layer. First layer being "Photo" and "Friday" on the 2nd layer. Let the cleaning begins.



First Step: I cleaned up the background from the layer "Photo" light calligraphy using brush tool on it to reveal the properly exposed background of the Heritage village. 

2nd Step: Clearing out the background image from the word "Friday" light calligraphy layer to reveal the properly exposed background image.

2nd Step: Clearing out the background image using brush tool to reveal the properly exposed background image. But the job here was not done, As you can see in the background the wind towers were not straight due to lens distortion at 24mm. To correct that I normally use Lightroom for that. Although Photoshop has lens correction but I find it much easier to do it in Lightroom. So at the final step. I open the image in the Lightroom. 



Final Step: After correcting the distortion and enhancing the background a little bit in Lightroom the photo was ready. The final was sent to GPP to add logos and dates. 



I hope you liked this post and read the process behind this image. Your feedback and comments are welcome.