A light painting by Jahanzeb Aamir. Courtesy JZ Aamir
A light painting by Jahanzeb Aamir. Courtesy JZ Aamir

The illuminating experiences of UAE artists who paint with light



When Jahanzeb Aamir wields his self-created lightsaber-style contraption in front of UAE landmarks, with a camera positioned to capture his movements, it seems a bit peculiar.

But the resulting images are so spectacular that the photographer’s art was recently spotlighted by Instagram.

Aamir, who goes by the name JZ Aamir (@jzaamir), is a light painter, an increasingly popular form of photography that uses the movement of light and a long exposure to create striking images that illuminate a subject in different ways. The magical result is created entirely through a manual set up, with very little digital manipulation.

The technique dates back to 1889, when physiology researcher Georges Demenÿ attached bulbs to the joints of an assistant and created the first-known light-painting photograph titled Pathological Walk from in Front. Photographers began experimenting with light painting as an art in the 1930s.

Possibly the most famous light-painting images were created in the 1949, after Pablo Picasso met Life Magazine photographer Gjon Mili, who showed his light painting photographs to the artist. Picasso took his light-pen and began drawing what is known as “Picasso Draws a Centaur”.

Aamir discovered light painting when he moved to Dubai six years ago. He used his calligraphy skills in images to create uniquely designed and colourful Arabic lettering with light, against backdrops of abandoned buildings, monuments, mosques and hotels around the city and in his native Pakistan. His photograph featuring the word “love” in Arabic drawn with lights inside Jahangir’s Tomb in Lahore was featured by Instagram this month and has received more than 800,000 likes.

“ I found this technique that allows you to draw in space in front of the camera,” says Aamir. “It was more fascinating than usual photography, so I started experimenting with it. I started creating orbs and different graffiti work. Then I realised I can bring back my passion for calligraphy through this.”

The 37-year-old photographer, who is also a graphic designer and marketing specialist in Dubai, has been honing his Arabic calligraphy skills since the age of 12.

“Light painting is just a step in the direction of combining my interest of calligraphy and shooting amazing architecture and abandoned buildings,” he says. “I visited the ghost town in Ras Al Khaimah and such places in Pakistan. To me, these places tell the story of light before darkness. From there I got the idea of bringing them back to life with my light calligraphy.”

The process to creating a light painting is fraught with complications, including choosing the right time of the day and exposure. Aamir also had to work out how to get his calligraphic strokes to the right thickness.

“I tried working with LED lights that are available in the market, but it didn’t work,” he says. “In calligraphy, the lines move from thin to thick and then thin again. So typical LED lights don’t work.”

With the help of YouTube tutorials, Aamir built lights into wireless “pens” with different colours of light. He meticulously plans each image by researching historical sites and landmarks.

“I then decide which location and composition would work, making sure not to disturb the area,” he says. “Then I come home and decide what word would suit the history and story of the place. I practice it on paper and then in front of the camera before setting it up on location. Because a camera captures in reverse, I have to practice writing Arabic from left to right.”

George Durzi (@gtdurzi) is another photographer working with light. He started following the work of light-painting photographer Eric Pare a year ago and decided to create similar effects. His style generally features a yoga practitioner, who holds poses while he draws an orb of light behind her.

“The best time to take such images is during the ‘blue hour’, right when the sun is below the horizon and the sky is filled with a blue hue,” says the Jordanian national. He works as a digital marketing manager in Dubai, and also takes photography workshops at Gulf Photo Plus in Dubai and Jordan.

“This is before it goes pitch black and you can include the background but the light is softer. Anything after that is not quite attractive to capture,” he says.

“I used to struggle working with models who couldn’t stay still for that long. Now I work with a friend who is into yoga and she holds her breath while we try to capture the image.”

He also prefers shooting in the desert and near water.

“I try to find ponds and lakes so that there are reflection touches in the images.”

Lina Younes (@lina_younes), founder of the The Animation Chamber, an artist collective for animators and light painters in Dubai, says she was infatuated by Picasso's light-painting portraits and began using the technique in 2012. She.

“We can use any tool to paint, so why not light?” she asks.

“Light painting freezes static light and traces moving light, which makes it unique. It can be achieved by any form of analogue or digital camera. There is no mystery in the technique, yet the outcome is always magical.”

Younes says the required duration of the shutter speed varies depending on the location and intensity of light.

“Usually 15 to 20 seconds are more than enough to achieve a beautiful image. Sometimes more than one person takes part, and people become ghosts,” says the artist, who recently held light-painting workshops at the Sikka Art Fair. She enjoys creating mirror images, using torches in both hands to make portraits and figures.

One of the biggest challenges while creating the images is controlling the light.

“Too much light flooding into the lens could overshadow the light painting at hand,” she says. “Using that to your advantage while fixing the frame is vital.”

Tips from Lina Younes to create a good light painting photograph:

Have patience

Always direct the light towards the lens or it will not be recorded

Use your body as a measuring tool

Experiment with any light source available

Make sure to focus on your subject​

aahmed@thenational.ae

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

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What is Diwali?

The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.

According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.

In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.  

 

The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

Oppenheimer
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The figures behind the event

1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew

2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show

3) 1,000 social distancing stickers

4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue

How to book

Call DHA on 800342

Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation text message

Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
DHA medical personnel will take a nasal swab

Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

BABYLON
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Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Zombieland: Double Tap

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone

Four out of five stars 

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Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TOURNAMENT INFO

Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier

Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November

UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
THE LOWDOWN

Photograph

Rating: 4/5

Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies

Director: Ritesh Batra

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

MADAME%20WEB
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West Indies v India - Third ODI

India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)

India won by 93 runs

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

What is graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.

It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties. 

 

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.